Cost of Living: Round Rock, TX vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Round Rock

Texas
122
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Round Rock is 67% more expensive than Tuscaloosa.

$1,713/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 41%
$97,187/yr ↑ 100%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 50%
$383,700 ↑ 62%
Home Value
$236,600 ↓ 38%
$1,781/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 42%
124,288
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Round Rock, TX and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 122 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $708/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $8,496/year.

Median household income is $48,651/year higher in Round Rock. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Round Rock is $383,700 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Round Rock residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Round Rock or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 122 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Round Rock and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Round Rock is $1,713/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $708/month.
Which city has higher income, Round Rock or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $97,187 in Round Rock and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $48,651/year higher in Round Rock.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Round Rock or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Round Rock has a cost index of 122 with median rent of $1,713/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Round Rock details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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