Round Rock vs Georgetown Living Costs: Budget Comparison

Round Rock vs Georgetown living costs look surprisingly close when you put them side by side. Both cities sit north of Austin and pull in people wanting suburban life near city jobs. Housing creates the main cost gap between these two popular Texas spots.

Most folks pick between these cities based on lifestyle wants and budget needs. Georgetown gives you bigger lots and small-town vibes. Round Rock puts you closer to Austin with more stuff to do. Knowing what each city actually costs helps you pick right.

How Housing Markets Differ Between the Two Cities

Housing eats the biggest chunk of your budget in either city. The market works differently in each place based on land availability and how things developed.

Round Rock median home prices hit about $440,000 in 2025. This covers typical houses in regular neighborhoods around town. New builds can start around $400,000 depending on size and where you buy.

Georgetown median home prices run roughly $450,000 to $460,000 right now. This sits about $10,000 to $20,000 higher than Round Rock on average. The gap gets bigger or smaller based on which neighborhoods you compare.

Lot sizes create the biggest housing difference between these cities really. Round Rock development mostly sticks to standard suburban lot sizes. You typically get quarter-acre to half-acre lots in newer spots.

Georgetown offers way bigger lot options for similar money pretty often. Many new neighborhoods have half-acre to five-acre lots as normal options. This matters huge if you want space, privacy, or room for animals.

What Your Money Actually Buys in Each Place

Home values have been growing at different speeds in these cities. Georgetown has seen 5% to 8% yearly growth in property values recently. This builds your home equity faster if investment returns matter to you.

Round Rock appreciation stays solid but usually runs a bit lower each year. The more established market means fewer wild swings up or down. Some buyers like stability more than chasing maximum growth potential anyway.

New construction availability looks different between the two cities a lot. Round Rock has fewer empty areas left inside city limits to build. Georgetown keeps spreading out with new planned communities opening all the time.

Your housing dollar goes toward different things in each city ultimately. Round Rock money buys location and convenience to Austin mainly. Georgetown money buys space and potential appreciation along with quieter living.

Breaking Down Property Tax Differences

Property taxes slam you pretty hard in both cities because Texas has no state income tax. The state pays for everything through property taxes instead of income taxes. Both spots charge more than national averages because of this setup.

Round Rock Independent School District has a tax rate of 0.893100 currently. This school district tax makes up the biggest piece of your bill. Add city and county taxes on top of this school amount.

Georgetown property taxes mix Georgetown ISD rates with city and county chunks. The total usually comes in a bit lower than Round Rock overall. School district rates make the biggest difference between these locations really.

Your real tax bill depends on your specific property value and exact location. A $440,000 home in Round Rock creates roughly $11,000 to $12,500 in yearly taxes. Georgetown taxes on a $450,000 home run about $10,500 to $12,000 per year.

Texas homestead exemptions cut your tax load if you file the paperwork. You have to apply for this exemption after buying your main home. Tons of new buyers forget this step and pay extra taxes for no reason.

Budget at least $900 to $1,050 monthly just for property taxes in either city. This adds a lot to your total housing payment beyond the mortgage itself. Most lenders make you use escrow accounts to guarantee tax payments happen.

Comparing Commute and Transportation Costs

Your daily drive creates costs that pile up fast over months and years. Distance to Austin matters big time for most people moving to either city.

Round Rock sits closer to Austin with normal drives taking 20 to 25 minutes. Georgetown sits farther north with drives running 30 to 35 minutes typically. This 10-minute gap seems small but really adds up over years of commuting.

Rush hour traffic changes everything for people driving either direction daily. Morning and evening drives can easily take over an hour from both cities. Interstate 35 turns into a parking lot during peak times like clockwork.

Real Transportation Costs Beyond Just Gas

Gas costs favor Round Rock a bit because of shorter daily distances overall. Round Rock Texas residents might spend $150 to $200 monthly on gas for commuting. Georgetown Texas folks often hit $200 to $250 monthly for the same work schedule.

Car wear and tear increases with the longer drives from Georgetown regularly. Oil changes, tires, and other maintenance come due more often than normal. Budget an extra $500 to $800 each year for car costs from Georgetown.

Remote work options kill commute costs completely for lots of workers now. Hybrid schedules cut transportation costs way down compared to daily commuting. Think about your work flexibility when weighing Round Rock vs Georgetown living costs.

Public transportation stays pretty limited in both cities for real daily use. Capital Metro runs some buses but most everyone drives their own car. Carpooling helps your wallet but needs reliable partners with matching schedules always.

Understanding Utility and Weather-Related Expenses

Utilities cost more than national averages in both Round Rock and Georgetown. Texas weather drives these high costs all year in different ways throughout the seasons.

Round Rock utility costs run higher than national numbers across all categories. Summer electric bills jump hard from running AC nonstop for months. Winter heating stays pretty modest compared to northern states at least.

Georgetown utility numbers stay less tracked officially but probably match Round Rock closely. Both cities deal with the exact same Texas weather patterns and problems. Expect similar electric, water, and gas bills in either spot really.

Summer electric bills easily hit $200 to $250 monthly in either city normally. AC runs constantly from June through September just for basic comfort indoors. Some months push even higher during really extreme heat waves too.

Water costs change based on how much you use and conservation efforts. Both cities charge on tiered systems that reward using less water overall. Keeping lawns green drives water bills way up during hot summer months.

Internet and cable costs stay competitive in both cities which helps. Multiple companies serve each area keeping prices reasonable for customers. Fiber optic internet reaches lots of neighborhoods in both places now.

Weather damage hits both cities pretty much the same over time. Hail, wind, and heat cause constant maintenance needs for houses here. Budget for weather repairs no matter which city you end up picking.

How Lifestyle and Entertainment Affect Your Budget

How you spend free time changes your real living costs a ton. Each city offers different stuff that influences spending habits and what you prioritize.

Round Rock gives you more entertainment and shopping right in city limits. The Dell Diamond brings minor league baseball and concerts pretty regularly. Round Rock Premium Outlets offer serious shopping therapy chances all year long.

Restaurants and nightlife stay way more common in Round Rock generally speaking. You find more variety in food options and places to grab drinks. This convenience costs real money though if you eat out a bunch.

Georgetown offers a more chill small-town vibe with historic downtown charm. The town square has local shops, restaurants, and regular events happening. Live music happens a lot at different downtown spots throughout the year.

Outdoor fun costs less in Georgetown with tons of nature options available. Lake Georgetown gives free water access for all kinds of activities. Blue Hole Park offers swimming and nature time at basically no cost.

Round Rock people often drive to Austin for bigger entertainment and culture stuff. This adds gas costs and time to your fun activities regularly. Georgetown people do the same thing but from even farther away usually.

Free community events happen in both cities all year round consistently. Both places focus on family-friendly activities that cost little or nothing. Your entertainment costs depend way more on personal choices than the city really.

Round Rock Georgetown Housing Costs and Insurance

Round Rock and Georgetown housing costs include more than just your monthly payment. Insurance represents a major ongoing expense in both cities year after year.

Homeowners insurance typically runs $2,000 to $3,500 each year in either spot.

Your specific rate depends on home value, coverage picks, and deductibles chosen. Hail damage claims keep premiums elevated throughout this whole area consistently.

Car insurance runs $1,200 to $2,400 yearly for full coverage in both cities. Rates change a lot between insurance companies for the exact same coverage. Shopping around regularly saves hundreds every year on car insurance pretty easily.

Both cities sit in areas that get severe weather causing insurance claims often. Thunderstorms, hail, and wind damage happen a lot during spring and summer. This claims history keeps insurance costs high compared to calmer weather areas.

Your driving record and credit score change rates more than city location. Moving between Round Rock and Georgetown won't shift insurance costs dramatically at all. Personal factors matter way more than which specific city you actually pick.

Making Your Final Decision Between the Cities

Round Rock vs Georgetown living costs compare closely enough that other stuff often decides. Your priorities and lifestyle wants should drive this choice more than tiny cost gaps.

Pick Round Rock if you want slightly lower median home prices to start. The shorter Austin commute saves you time and gas money over the years. More entertainment and shopping exists right within city limits too.

Pick Georgetown if you value bigger lot sizes and more land around you. The small-town feel and historic charm pull in lots of families here. Better home appreciation potential might build your equity faster over time.

Think about your work setup and commute needs carefully before choosing anything. Remote workers eliminate the biggest cost difference between these cities completely. Daily Austin commuters should factor transportation costs and time really seriously.

Consider your five to ten-year plans for this home and area. Growing families might prefer Georgetown's space and quieter pace of life. Young professionals might enjoy Round Rock's energy and Austin closeness way more.

Visit both cities several times before making any final decisions about moving. Drive potential commutes during rush hour to feel real traffic conditions. Check out neighborhoods, amenities, and overall vibe in each spot thoroughly first.



inNoutMovers helps Texas families move with professional work and honest pricing. Understanding total costs between Round Rock and Georgetown helps you budget right. Getting clear moving quotes stops surprise expenses during your move between cities.

Both cities offer solid value compared to living in Austin itself in 2025. Your choice depends more on lifestyle wants than huge cost differences. Smart planning makes either spot work financially for most families moving here.