City Comparison

Round Rock vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Round Rock

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

8.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.2%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $81,683 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
92
Round Rock
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
96
Round Rock
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
109
Round Rock
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
99
Round Rock
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
96
Round Rock
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has the same purchasing power as $81,683 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $68,864 in Round Rock.

Living in Round Rock vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $456,000. 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: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $384 in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. 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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,345/month to housing in Round Rock vs $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 8.2% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,683 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Round Rock's housing index is 92 with median homes at $413,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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