Round Rock TX vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Waco
9.8%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 54.0% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 11.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.0% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $51,468 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $28,819 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.4% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 24.0% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 28.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 48.9% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 36.8% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.0% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.4% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.4% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.1% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 36.4 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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