Round Rock TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%

Tuscaloosa, AL

Alabama · Population: 107,699

  • Median HH Income$48,536
  • Median Home Price$231,461
  • Unemployment7.0%
  • Bachelor's+38.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +

Which City is Right for You?

Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Round Rock & Tuscaloosa