Round Rock TX vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.5 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 58.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 11.2% | 6.6% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 2.4% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $78,429 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $37,315 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.2% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 31.2% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 36.0% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.5% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.2% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Round Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.5 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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