Round Rock vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Round Rock
Tempe
The Verdict
Round Rock is 4.7% less expensive than Tempe overall. A household earning $75,000 in Round Rock would need approximately $78,713 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $78,713 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $71,462 in Round Rock.
Living in Round Rock vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $400,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Round Rock compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $384 in Tempe. 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 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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