Round Rock TX vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 99,507 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 5.8% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 11.2% | 4.3% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.4% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $64,146 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $33,835 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.9% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 24.9% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, 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
Round Rock
34.2%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 22.3% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.7% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.7% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 35.7 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, 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
Round Rock
26.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Round Rock, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Round Rock, TXChicago, IL vs Round Rock, TXHouston, TX vs Round Rock, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Round Rock, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Round Rock, TX