Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.2 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 81.8% | 58.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Round Rock
$47,829
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $47,829 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 43.6% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 34.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 9.8% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.1% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 35.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.1 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while round Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,570. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA