Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 57.5% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.2% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $411,570 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.1% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.3% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.1 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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