Cost of Living: Round Rock, TX vs College Station, TX (2026)

Round Rock

Texas
122
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Round Rock is 34% more expensive than College Station.

$1,713/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 32%
$97,187/yr ↑ 88%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 47%
$383,700 ↑ 18%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 15%
$1,781/mo ↑ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 30%
124,288
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Round Rock, TX and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 122 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $545/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $6,540/year.

Median household income is $45,411/year higher in Round Rock. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Round Rock is $383,700 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock vs College Station — common questions

Is Round Rock or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 122 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Round Rock and College Station?
Median rent in Round Rock is $1,713/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $545/month.
Which city has higher income, Round Rock or College Station?
Median household income is $97,187 in Round Rock and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $45,411/year higher in Round Rock.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Round Rock or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Round Rock has a cost index of 122 with median rent of $1,713/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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