City Comparison

Roanoke vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Roanoke costs 19.8% less than Round Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $93,519 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
57
Roanoke
92
Round Rock
Groceries
97
Roanoke
96
Round Rock
Utilities
116
Roanoke
109
Round Rock
Transportation
98
Roanoke
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
91
Roanoke
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $93,519 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $60,149 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $413,000. The $188,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Roanoke and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,700 in Roanoke and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 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 $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/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 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,519 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Roanoke's housing index is 57 with median homes at $225,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases