City Comparison

Round Rock vs Salt Lake City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Round Rock

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

Salt Lake City

Utah
107
Above Average
$440,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$60,590
Median Income

The Verdict

5.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $79,455 in Salt Lake City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
92
Round Rock
120
Salt Lake City
Groceries
96
Round Rock
99
Salt Lake City
Utilities
109
Round Rock
88
Salt Lake City
Transportation
99
Round Rock
102
Salt Lake City
Healthcare
96
Round Rock
97
Salt Lake City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has the same purchasing power as $79,455 in Salt Lake City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $70,794 in Round Rock.

Living in Round Rock vs Salt Lake City

Housing Costs

Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $440,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. 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 109 in Round Rock and 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $352 in Salt Lake City. 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 96 in Round Rock and 97 in Salt Lake City. 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 $100,500 in Round Rock and $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $56,626 respectively. Round Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,345/month to housing in Round Rock vs $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 5.6% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,455 in Salt Lake City, based on the cost of living difference.
Round Rock's housing index is 92 with median homes at $413,000, while Salt Lake City's is 120 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases