Round Rock TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 13.7% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 58.2% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 11.2% | 5.0% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.1% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $54,546 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $31,152 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.4% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 18.8% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 30.2% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 51.7% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.5% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.3% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.7% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.5% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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