City Comparison

Round Rock vs Stamford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Round Rock

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

Stamford

Connecticut
158
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$95,272
Median Income

The Verdict

36.1%

Round Rock is 36.1% less expensive than Stamford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Round Rock would need approximately $117,327 in Stamford to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
92
Round Rock
232
Stamford
Groceries
96
Round Rock
110
Stamford
Utilities
109
Round Rock
128
Stamford
Transportation
99
Round Rock
107
Stamford
Healthcare
96
Round Rock
114
Stamford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has the same purchasing power as $117,327 in Stamford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $47,943 in Round Rock.

Living in Round Rock vs Stamford

Housing Costs

Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $580,000. The $167,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $523/month in Stamford. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Round Rock and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $512 in Stamford. 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 114 in Stamford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $100,500 in Round Rock and $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $60,299 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 $2,223/month in Stamford. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 140 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 36.1% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $117,327 in Stamford, based on the cost of living difference.
Round Rock's housing index is 92 with median homes at $413,000, while Stamford's is 232 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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