Cost of Living in Round Rock, TX

Round Rock is usually less expensive than central Austin, especially for housing, but it is not a low-cost city anymore. A realistic Round Rock budget needs to include rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, car costs, property taxes, insurance, and the one-time costs that happen during the first month of a move.

Last updated: May 2026. Figures below are planning ranges, not guarantees. Verify exact rent, tax, utility, insurance, and moving costs before signing a lease or purchase contract.

Monthly budget snapshot

The U.S. Census Bureau reports Round Rock’s 2020-2024 median household income at $99,287 and median gross rent at $1,763. Zillow reported an average Round Rock rent of $1,621 as of April 30, 2026, while Apartments.com shows lower apartment-specific averages and notes that rental pricing changes by unit type and property class.

Household type	Conservative monthly planning range	What drives the range
Single renter	$4,200-$5,400	One-bedroom rent, car costs, groceries, health insurance, utilities, savings
Couple without kids	$5,800-$7,400	Two incomes can help, but housing, two vehicles, and insurance still matter
Family with children	$8,000-$11,500+	Larger housing, childcare, healthcare, two vehicles, school/activity costs

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator for Williamson County estimates that a single adult needs $51,114 before taxes for basic needs, while two working adults with two children need $113,194 before taxes combined. Treat that as a survival baseline, not a comfort budget.

One-time move-in and relocation setup costs

First-month cash is often the part of a Round Rock move that surprises people. Plan for setup costs before you commit to a lease or closing date.

Setup item	Planning note
First month rent and security deposit	Many rentals require first month rent plus a deposit. Some also charge admin, pet, parking, or amenity fees.
Application and screening fees	Budget per adult applicant, especially when applying to multiple rentals.
Utility setup	Water, trash, internet, electricity, and gas setup can require deposits depending on provider and credit history.
Professional movers	Local moves cost less than long-distance relocations, but stairs, elevators, packing, and heavy items change the crew size and time.
Packing and supplies	Boxes, mattress bags, tape, padding, and specialty protection add up quickly.
Furniture and household setup	New renters often need window coverings, kitchen basics, shelves, office setup, and garage storage.

For mover-specific planning, use the Round Rock moving-day cost guide before you compare crew size, stairs, packing, and truck access.

If you are already choosing dates and access details, get a written Round Rock moving quote.

Housing is the main budget decision

Round Rock’s housing cost varies sharply by location, school zone, unit type, commute, and age of the property. Zillow reported a typical Round Rock home value of $411,570 as of April 30, 2026, with a median sale price of $396,000 in March 2026. Census QuickFacts reports a 2020-2024 median owner-occupied home value of $418,600.

Renters should compare apartment averages with the actual property list. Apartments.com reports average rents ranging from one-bedroom units in the low-to-mid $1,000s to three-bedroom homes above $2,000, while Zillow’s broader rent index includes more rental types. That difference matters if you are choosing between an apartment, townhome, or single-family rental.

If you are still searching, start with the Round Rock housing guide and the apartment complex guide.

Property taxes and hidden costs

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are a major homeowner expense. The City of Round Rock lists the FY 2025-2026 adopted city property tax rate at 37.2000 cents per $100 assessed value and an estimated city tax bill of $1,470 for the 2025 median home on city tax rolls. That is only the city portion; county, school district, and other taxing entities can materially change the full bill.

Other hidden costs to plan for:

• Homeowners insurance and possible roof or weather-related deductibles.
• HOA dues in master-planned communities.
• Lawn care, irrigation, pest control, and appliance maintenance.
• Higher summer electric bills when air conditioning runs heavily.
• Deposits or pet fees for rentals.
• Longer commutes if the cheaper home is farther from work.

Utilities, groceries, and lifestyle costs

Round Rock water, wastewater, stormwater, trash, and recycling are handled through city utility billing in many areas, with tiered water rates that charge more as usage rises. The city also notes utility rate changes in recent years, so residents should check current rates when budgeting.

Groceries depend heavily on household size and shopping habits. H-E-B, Walmart, Target, Costco, and local specialty stores give residents options, but families should still model food as a major monthly line item. MIT’s 2026 Williamson County table estimates annual food costs at $3,996 for one adult and $11,694 for two working adults with two children.

Entertainment can stay modest if you use parks, trails, free city events, Dell Diamond promotions, and home cooking. It climbs fast with weekly restaurants, premium fitness memberships, youth sports, and frequent Austin events.

Transportation and commute costs

Round Rock is drivable, but car-dependent. Census QuickFacts reports a 24.9-minute mean travel time to work for Round Rock workers in 2020-2024. The city lists CapMetro routes 50, 152, and 980 plus Round Rock Rides as transit options, but most residents should still budget for car payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, tires, tolls, and parking.

For the commute details and transit tradeoffs, read the average commute times in Round Rock guide.

Income needed to feel comfortable

The right income target depends on debt, family size, childcare, housing choice, and savings goals. A single adult who rents cheaply and has no car payment may feel comfortable below the city median household income. A family buying a home, paying childcare, and running two vehicles may need well above the median to avoid stress.

For a detailed income framework, use the average salary in Round Rock guide.

Sources and retrieval dates

• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Round Rock city, Texas, 2020-2024 ACS and 2024 population estimate, retrieved May 13, 2026.
• MIT Living Wage Calculator, Williamson County, Texas, data updated February 15, 2026, retrieved May 13, 2026.
• City of Round Rock property tax page, FY 2025-2026 adopted tax rate, retrieved May 13, 2026.
• City of Round Rock utility billing and water/sewer/garbage rates pages, retrieved May 13, 2026.
• Zillow Round Rock housing market and rental market pages, data through April 30, 2026, retrieved May 13, 2026.
• Apartments.com Round Rock area guide and rent data, retrieved May 13, 2026.