Round Rock TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.3 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 12.2% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 11.2% | 10.5% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 13.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $83,857 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $44,756 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.3% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 12.0% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 33.5% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $496,966 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 37.3% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.9% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.7% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 39.2 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 31.1 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, Tacoma 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 Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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