Round Rock vs Worcester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Round Rock
Worcester
The Verdict
Living in Round Rock costs 19.2% less than Worcester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Round Rock, you would need $92,822 in Worcester.
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 $92,822 in Worcester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $60,600 in Round Rock.
Living in Round Rock vs Worcester
Housing Costs
Round Rock's housing index of 92 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $340,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 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 Worcester, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Round Rock and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Round Rock vs $504/month in Worcester. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Round Rock and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Round Rock vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $99,505 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, 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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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