City Comparison

Round Rock vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Round Rock

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

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

12.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.2%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $66,832 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
92
Round Rock
82
St Cloud
Groceries
96
Round Rock
101
St Cloud
Utilities
109
Round Rock
95
St Cloud
Transportation
99
Round Rock
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
96
Round Rock
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has the same purchasing power as $66,832 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $84,167 in Round Rock.

Living in Round Rock vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Round Rock's housing index of 92 is higher St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $250,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $480/month in St Cloud. 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 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $380 in St Cloud. 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 100 in St Cloud. 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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $66,889 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St Cloud is 12.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,832 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Round Rock's housing index is 92 with median homes at $413,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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