Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Round Rock
7.3%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 124,288 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.2 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 73.0% | 58.3% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.3% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Round Rock
$47,829
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Round Rock
3.6%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $47,829 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.6% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 43.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 34.2% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.6% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.1% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Round Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.1 min | Madison + |
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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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