City Comparison

Raleigh vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Raleigh

North Carolina
102
Average
$370,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$67,266
Median Income

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

1.0%

Living in Round Rock costs 1.0% less than Raleigh. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Raleigh, you would need $74,265 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
107
Raleigh
92
Round Rock
Groceries
100
Raleigh
96
Round Rock
Utilities
94
Raleigh
109
Round Rock
Transportation
100
Raleigh
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
108
Raleigh
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $74,265 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $75,743 in Raleigh.

Living in Raleigh vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $413,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $456/month in Round Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Raleigh and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $436 in Round Rock. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,266 in Raleigh and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,265 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Raleigh's housing index is 107 with median homes at $370,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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