Round Rock vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Round Rock
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.9%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Round Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $76,485 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Round Rock has the same purchasing power as $76,485 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $73,544 in Round Rock.
Living in Round Rock vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $419,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Round Rock and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $83,010 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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