Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 124,288 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 69.7% | 58.3% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 56.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 34.2% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 35.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
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 450 in Mesa. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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