Round Rock TX vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 13.9% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 11.2% | 7.8% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 23.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $77,643 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $42,371 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.7% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 16.2% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $468,328 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 41.6% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 18.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 Tempe. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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