Round Rock TX vs Seattle WA — 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%

Seattle, WA

Washington · Population: 741,440

  • Median HH Income$121,984
  • Median Home Price$871,599
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+67.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Round Rock
124,288
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Seattle
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Seattle
44.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
Seattle
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
Seattle
37.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Seattle
28.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while round Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,570. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Round Rock & Seattle