Median rent is 2% lower in Austin ($1,729/mo vs $1,763/mo). Buying is cheaper in Round Rock, where the median home runs $418,600 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Round Rock ($99,287 vs $93,658 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.3).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Round Rock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Round Rock, TX to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Round Rock, TX
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Round Rock
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,729/mo in Austin and $1,763/mo in Round Rock. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $418,600 in Round Rock — 25% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
Round Rock
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Round Rock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Round Rock.
Pick Round Rock if you prioritize higher median household income ($99,287/yr).
Austin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Austin.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,763/mo in Round Rock, TX. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $99,287 in Round Rock, TX. Round Rock, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Round Rock, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
