Birmingham AL vs Round Rock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 124,288 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 25.6% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 67.1% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $411,570 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.3% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 26.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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