Round Rock TX vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 5.3% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 11.2% | 9.7% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.8% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 16.9% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $55,902 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $33,290 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 15.6% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 39.7% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.1% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.8% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 39.0 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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