Round Rock TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 118,578 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 5.7% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 11.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 8.9% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $63,900 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $46,062 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 16.3% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 46.8% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 42.7% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.1% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.4% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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