Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Round Rock
15.5%
White
Garland
37.5%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Round Rock
7.3%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Round Rock
29.1%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 124,288 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.2 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 15.5% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 15.3% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 7.3% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 29.1% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Round Rock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $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 | 12.3% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $411,570 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Round Rock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Round Rock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 14.1% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. 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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