Round Rock TX vs Salinas CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 58.3% | 21.8% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 11.2% | 1.4% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.7% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $89,150 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $28,813 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.7% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 14.2% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $751,711 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 47.0% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.4% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.2% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 22.4% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.8 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 503 in Salinas. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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