Round Rock TX vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.6 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 6.8% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 11.2% | 4.8% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.6% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 19.2% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $93,371 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $39,604 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.2% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.8% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 31.0% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $422,520 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 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 450 in Surprise. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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