Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 124,288 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.2 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 53.8% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 27.5% | 11.2% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Round Rock
$47,829
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $47,829 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 43.6% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Round Rock
16.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 34.2% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.8% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.1% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.6% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.1 min | Raleigh + |
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, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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