Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- 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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Round Rock
15.5%
White
Plano
53.2%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Round Rock
7.3%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 124,288 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 15.5% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 9.0% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 7.3% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Round Rock
$97,187
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Round Rock
$47,829
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Round Rock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Round Rock
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $97,187 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $47,829 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.7% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 43.6% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 56.3% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Round Rock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Round Rock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.6% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.1% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.3% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.6% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. 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, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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