Median rent is 3% lower in Round Rock ($1,763/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Round Rock, where the median home runs $418,600 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Round Rock ($99,287 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Round Rock is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 112.6 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Round Rock, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Round Rock is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Round Rock vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Round Rock, TX
How much would you need to earn in Round Rock, TX to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Round Rock, TX
$65,433
You could earn $9,567 less (13% lower) and break even.
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
New York
New York
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: $1,821/mo in New York and $1,763/mo in Round Rock. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $418,600 in Round Rock — 46% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Round Rock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Round Rock.
Pick Round Rock if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 112.6).
Pick Round Rock if you prioritize higher median household income ($99,287/yr).
Round Rock is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Round Rock.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $1,763/mo in Round Rock, TX. Round Rock, TX has the lower rent by about 3%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $87,244 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
