Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Round Rock
15.5%
White
Denton
41.9%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Round Rock
29.1%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 124,288 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.2 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 15.5% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 23.7% | 11.2% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 29.1% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Round Rock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Denton +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $411,570 | Denton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Round Rock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Round Rock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.1% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while denton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $354,100. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Denton. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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