City Guide · Updated June 2026

RoundRock,TX

Pop. 133,372Score8.6/10

$442k

Median Home

$1,950

Median Rent

Walk Score

8.9/10

Schools

103

Cost Index

Overview

Austin-adjacent without the Austin price tag.

Round Rock, Texas sits in Williamson County at 720 ft elevation, Austin (20 mi). Population 133,372 · 5.2% annual job growth · major employers include Dell Technologies, St. David's Medical Center, Emerson.

Round Rock is the quiet engine of the northern Austin metro. Twenty minutes from downtown Austin off-peak, anchored by Dell Technologies' world headquarters and a tightly-rated school district, it has become the default landing spot for families who want Austin-area jobs without Austin-area housing prices.

The city has grown roughly 35% since 2010 — fast, but more orderly than most Sun Belt boomtowns because Williamson County actually planned for it. The result is a network of master-planned neighborhoods, real downtown infill around the historic Round Rock Donuts strip, and infrastructure that mostly keeps up with the population.

What separates Round Rock from the dozens of other Austin suburbs is depth: Dell brings 13,000 jobs, St. David's and Baylor Scott & White run major hospitals, and Kalahari Resorts is one of the largest waterparks in the country. You don't have to commute into Austin to have a career here.

Best fit

Families prioritizing top public schools
Dell and Austin-area tech workers
Hybrid workers commuting 2–3 days a week
Young couples buying their first home

Watch out for

I-35 traffic is the chronic complaint — commutes vary wildly
Property taxes are high (Texas trade-off for no income tax)
Summer heat is severe and getting worse year over year

History & economy

Round Rock was named for a literal round rock in Brushy Creek that marked a wagon crossing on the Chisholm Trail. Dell moved its headquarters here in 1996 and the city has roughly tripled in population since.

Getting around

Car required. I-35 splits the city north-to-south and is genuinely painful at rush hour; the toll roads (130, 45) are worth the money. CapMetro express bus exists to downtown Austin.

Food & culture

Round Rock Donuts is the local institution, but the food scene has matured fast — chef-driven restaurants downtown, a serious brewery scene, and Round Rock Express baseball at Dell Diamond.

Outdoors & climate

Brushy Creek Regional Trail is the local artery for runners and cyclists. Lake Travis and Hill Country are 45 minutes away; the Texas state parks system is excellent.

CountyWilliamson County

Founded1854

Area38 sq mi

Elevation720 ft

TimezoneCentral (CT)

ClimateSunny

Nearest Major CityAustin (20 mi)

AirportAustin-Bergstrom (AUS)

Quick Score Dashboard

How Round Rock scores

32/100

Walkability

8.9/10

Schools

8.1/10

Safety

5.2%

Jobs

Affordability

8.6/10

Lifestyle

Photo Gallery

Round Rock in pictures

A visual tour of Round Rock, Texas — neighborhoods, homes, parks and everyday street life.

8 photos

Neighborhoods

Explore Round Rock

Round Rock's neighborhoods divide along amenity tier: Forest Creek and Teravista are amenity-heavy and pricier, Paloma Lake and Behrens Ranch offer better value, and Mayfield Ranch is the luxury option.

8.3/10

Downtown Round Rock

Walk

8.5

Schools

8.6

Value

WalkableDiningArts

8.5/10

Round Rock Heights

Walk

9.2

Schools

8.8

Value

HistoricFamily-Friendly

8.7/10

West Round Rock

Walk

9.5

Schools

Value

Top SchoolsSuburban

8.9/10

Old Town Round Rock

Walk

8.9

Schools

8.7

Value

HistoricTree-Lined

Location

Round Rock from above

Satellite view of Round Rock, TX. Explore the city's footprint, neighborhoods, parks, and proximity to highways and nearby cities.

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom · click the fullscreen icon for a larger viewOpen 3D / Earth view →

Live Listings

Properties in Round Rock

Real, active listings refreshed daily. Tap a card to view details on the source site.

Cost of Living

Compared to the US national average

Housing

-12% vs US$1,450 → $1,280

Groceries

+3% vs US$620 → $640

Healthcare

+1% vs US$380 → $388

Transport

-8% vs US$480 → $420

Utilities

-8% vs US$180 → $165

Taxes

-10% vs US$2,100 → $1,890

Real Estate

24-month median home price

$442k

Median Price

$182

Price / sqft

Days on market

99.2%

List-to-sale

Honest Tradeoffs

Pros & cons of moving to Round Rock

Pros

Round Rock ISD consistently ranks in the top 10% of Texas school districts.
Major employers (Dell, hospitals) mean you don't have to commute to Austin for a career.
Median home price ~30% below Austin city limits for comparable square footage.
Newer city — modern infrastructure, well-maintained parks, planned amenities.

Cons

Effective property tax rate of 2.0–2.3% costs ~$10k/year on a $500k home.
I-35 commute to central Austin is unpredictable and worsening.
Summers hit 100°F regularly from June through September.
Suburban-by-design — limited walkability outside specific master-planned cores.

In-depth

Why Round Rock is worth your consideration

The profile

Round Rock, Texas occupies a specific niche in the American relocation map. With a population of 133,372 and median home prices around $442,000, the city is squarely mid-sized — large enough to support a real economy, small enough that traffic, housing, and day-to-day logistics stay manageable. It sits austin (20 mi), in Williamson County, which shapes both the job market and the cultural pull from the larger metro nearby. Founded in 1854, Round Rock has the kind of layered history that gives a place a personality beyond its data — neighborhoods built across different decades, an established downtown, and major employers like Dell Technologies and St. David's Medical Center that anchor the local economy. The cost of living index of 103 puts it near the national average — neither a bargain nor punishing, which is the headline reason most newcomers look here in the first place.

The honest reality check

That said, Round Rock is not perfect, and pretending it is would do you no favors. Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Round Rock regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Winters are mild and short. Air conditioning is non-negotiable, and most residents shift errands and outdoor activity to early morning or after 6 p.m. during peak summer. The school system rates 8.9/10, which reads as genuinely strong — among the top tiers nationally, with consistent test performance and well-resourced programs. Safety scores at 8.1/10 — comfortably safe — among the lower-crime mid-size cities in the country. The walkability score of 32/100 means you will absolutely need a car for almost everything, every day. Public transit is essentially nonexistent for daily life. If you don't tolerate heat well, expect a real adjustment period of 60–90 days. Electric bills spike from May through September. None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but together they describe the texture of life here — and they matter more than a single headline ranking.

Who should — and shouldn't — move here

Round Rock fits a specific kind of household well. Remote workers earning a strong salary tend to do best — a $442,000 median home price means your housing budget stretches dramatically further than it would in a tier-1 metro, and the local job market is genuinely expanding (5.2% annual growth) — anchored by Dell Technologies, St. David's Medical Center, Emerson, with steady inflow of professionals, which matters less if your paycheck arrives from elsewhere. Families prioritizing space and value over elite school districts tend to be happy, particularly if the local schools (rated genuinely strong — among the top tiers nationally, with consistent test performance and well-resourced programs) match what their kids actually need. Retirees and career changers looking to reset financially find the cost structure genuinely supportive. Who tends to be unhappy here? People who expected dense, walkable urban living and discovered they need a car; professionals who require a tier-1 local job market and don't have remote flexibility; families who assumed schools would be elite without checking; and anyone who underestimated sunny weather. Self-awareness about fit matters more than any ranking — including ours.

Market trajectory

Round Rock's housing market trajectory is, frankly, more interesting than dramatic. Median prices around $442,000 with median rents at $1,950/month put it in a band where buying becomes mathematically reasonable for people with stable income. Job growth of 5.2% per year is actively pulling new residents in, which keeps demand healthy. Compared to overheated Sunbelt markets (Austin, Nashville, Phoenix) where appreciation has been 8–12% annually and the risk of buying at a peak is real, Round Rock's market behaves more like a working city than a casino. For buyers who plan to stay 5+ years, this is a feature, not a bug. Inventory in 2026 remains adequate, and negotiating power exists on the buyer side in most neighborhoods outside the top-rated school zones.

A Practical Timeline

Your first 90 days in Round Rock

Days 1–14 · Logistics

Days 1–14 are logistics. Get your driver's license transferred and your vehicle registered — Texas DMV processes are reasonable but plan a half-day. Open a local bank account (national banks and a credit union both work; locals often prefer the credit union for service). Spend the first weekend driving the city — Round Rock's personality comes through faster from behind the wheel than from any guide. Stock the pantry: groceries here run about at the national average, and you'll find that the major chains (HEB, Publix, Kroger, or regional equivalents depending on which is dominant locally) plus a handful of specialty stores cover almost everything. Set up utilities — power, water, internet — and budget around $180–$240/month combined for a typical household. By day 10, you should have a functional baseline.

Days 15–45 · Integration

Days 15–45 are integration and the first real challenges. Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Round Rock regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Air conditioning is non-negotiable, and most residents shift errands and outdoor activity to early morning or after 6 p.m. during peak summer. Socially, Round Rock is small enough that the same faces appear at the same places, which is either charming or claustrophobic depending on your temperament. Work-wise, if you're remote, you'll appreciate the quiet — cafes have seats, internet is reliable, and you'll get more done than you did in your last city. If you're job-hunting locally, expect the market to be the local job market is genuinely expanding (5.2% annual growth) . Around day 30 it's normal to hit a "wait, is this it?" wave — this passes in almost everyone who stays past day 60. The people who leave usually decide by week 6.

Days 46–90 · Settling in

Days 46–90 are settling in. By now you have favorite places — a coffee shop, two or three restaurants, a route you run or bike, a grocery store where you know the layout. If you bought a home, the size and value start sinking in positively; if you rented first (a smart move for most newcomers), you'll have a clearer sense of which neighborhood actually fits your life rather than the one that looked best on the listing site. The honest truth: residents who stay past 90 days in Round Rock usually stay for years. The people who leave early are almost always those who didn't realistically check the sunny climate, the car-dependence, or the local job market against their actual lives. By month three, you have real data — not assumptions — and you can decide whether Round Rock is a one-year stop or a decade-long home.

Detailed Neighborhood Analysis

A closer look at where to live

Downtown Round Rock

$385k–$473k·Walk 60/100·Walkable core, mixed-use, older housing stock

Downtown Round Rock is the part of Round Rock where walkable core, mixed-use, older housing stock defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $385k–$473k band, with walkability around 60/100 — walkable in pockets, but you'll still drive for major errands.

History & character

The downtown core represents the oldest commercial heart of the city, with buildings dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s that have been progressively restored over the past two decades. The current revitalization is real but gradual — it's not a manufactured 'arts district,' it's an actual place that functioned for a century.

Schools

Schools serving Downtown Round Rock rate around 8.5/10 — genuinely strong, with consistent test performance and the kind of program depth that justifies a higher home price.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward cafes, small restaurants, art galleries, and weekend foot traffic. Nightlife is modest by big-city standards but real — usually a few hundred people out on a Saturday rather than thousands.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Downtown Round Rock runs roughly $1,945–$2,316 for rent, or roughly $2,362 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: young professionals, downsizing empty-nesters, remote workers who value walkability. Less good fit: families needing top-tier schools or wanting a large yard.

Round Rock Heights

$429k–$517k·Walk 38/100·Established residential, tree-lined streets

Round Rock Heights is the part of Round Rock where established residential, tree-lined streets defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $429k–$517k band, with walkability around 38/100 — car-dependent for almost everything outside the immediate block.

History & character

Round Rock Heights came together mostly between the 1940s and 1970s — solid mid-century housing, mature trees, walkable to neighborhood schools, and the kind of stable residential character that takes generations to build.

Schools

Schools serving Round Rock Heights rate around 9.2/10 — genuinely strong, with consistent test performance and the kind of program depth that justifies a higher home price.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward a mix of older residential blocks and a handful of neighborhood-serving businesses — coffee, a hardware store, a couple of restaurants — without much nightlife.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Round Rock Heights runs roughly $2,150–$2,559 for rent, or roughly $2,597 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: families with school-age kids who want character over new construction. Less good fit: buyers prioritizing walkability or new construction.

West Round Rock

$473k–$561k·Walk 22/100·Newer suburban development, top-rated schools

West Round Rock is the part of Round Rock where newer suburban development, top-rated schools defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $473k–$561k band, with walkability around 22/100 — car-dependent for almost everything outside the immediate block.

History & character

Most of West Round Rock was developed from the 1990s onward, with master-planned subdivisions, newer schools, and the kind of street grid that prioritizes cul-de-sacs over connectivity. It's where the city expanded to accommodate growth without disturbing the older fabric.

Schools

Schools serving West Round Rock rate around 9.5/10 — genuinely strong, with consistent test performance and the kind of program depth that justifies a higher home price.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward chain restaurants in retail centers, newer gyms and grocery stores, and a more car-oriented rhythm. Convenient for families managing logistics, less interesting for people who want streetscape.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in West Round Rock runs roughly $2,355–$2,803 for rent, or roughly $2,832 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: school-focused families willing to drive for everything. Less good fit: people who hate driving everywhere or want urban texture.

Old Town Round Rock

$407k–$495k·Walk 46/100·Historic district, smaller lots, character homes

Old Town Round Rock is the part of Round Rock where historic district, smaller lots, character homes defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $407k–$495k band, with walkability around 46/100 — car-dependent for almost everything outside the immediate block.

History & character

The historic district preserves the original residential footprint of the city — bungalows, craftsmans, and modest two-stories on smaller lots, almost all built before 1950. Many have been carefully renovated; some still wait for the right owner.

Schools

Schools serving Old Town Round Rock rate around 8.9/10 — genuinely strong, with consistent test performance and the kind of program depth that justifies a higher home price.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward quiet, walkable residential streets with a couple of long-running neighborhood cafes and a real sense of community calendar — block parties, holiday gatherings, casual front-porch culture.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Old Town Round Rock runs roughly $2,048–$2,438 for rent, or roughly $2,480 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: buyers who prioritize architecture and walkable streets over new amenities. Less good fit: buyers who want move-in-perfect newer construction.

Real monthly numbers

What life actually costs in Round Rock

Three example households, with realistic 2026 numbers built from Round Rock's actual cost index, median rent ($1,950), and median home price ($442,000). Your number will vary — these are honest baselines, not aspirational marketing.

Single remote worker, age 28, $85,000 salary

Income: $85,000/year

Rent (1-bed, decent neighborhood)Studios run ~15% less	$1,658/mo
Groceries	$391/mo
Car payment + insurance + gas	$420/mo
Utilities + internet	$175/mo
Phone + streaming + subscriptions	$95/mo
Health insurance (employer plan share)	$160/mo
Going out, gym, hobbies	$320/mo
Total monthly cost	$3,219/mo

After federal and state taxes (roughly $18,700/year), monthly take-home runs about $5,525. Living costs of $3,219/month leave roughly $2,306/month for aggressive savings or lifestyle inflation. Most remote workers at this salary genuinely save 25%+ of gross — that's the Round Rock math.

Family of 4, both parents working, $135,000 household

Income: $135,000/year

Mortgage P&I + taxes + insurance (median home, 20% down)6.5% rate, 30-year	$2,490/mo
Groceries (family of 4)	$1,133/mo
Two cars (payments, insurance, fuel)	$720/mo
Utilities + internet	$247/mo
Childcare or after-school (school-age kids)	$450/mo
Family health insurance share	$480/mo
Activities, eating out, family extras	$520/mo
Total monthly cost	$6,040/mo

Take-home around $8,550/month after taxes. Core costs of $6,040/month leave roughly $2,510/month for retirement savings, 529 contributions, vacations, and the unexpected. Tight in higher-cost neighborhoods, comfortable in most of the city.

Retired couple, age 67, $58,000 combined SS + small pension

Income: $58,000/year

Property tax + insurance on paid-off median home	$545/mo
Groceries	$433/mo
One car (insurance, fuel, maintenance — no payment)	$220/mo
Utilities + internet	$185/mo
Medicare premiums + supplement	$280/mo
Prescriptions + out-of-pocket health	$140/mo
Travel, hobbies, eating out, gifts	$360/mo
Total monthly cost	$2,163/mo

Net income roughly $4,833/month (most retirement income is partially taxed). Living costs of $2,163/month leave a modest buffer — secure rather than wealthy. Beats trying to retire on the same income in a coastal metro by a wide margin.

Honest Answers

Questions from people considering Round Rock

How bad is the sunny weather, really?

Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Round Rock regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Winters are mild and short. If you don't tolerate heat well, expect a real adjustment period of 60–90 days. Electric bills spike from May through September. Realistic answer: most people adapt within a year, but a meaningful minority never do. If you're considering Round Rock and you've never lived in this climate, plan a one-week visit during the worst month (August) before committing.

Are the schools actually good, or just "good for the area"?

Schools rate 8.9/10 — genuinely strong — among the top tiers nationally, with consistent test performance and well-resourced programs. That's the citywide average; individual elementary and high school zones vary noticeably. Before buying in a specific neighborhood, look up the exact attendance zone on the district website and check GreatSchools and Niche for that school specifically, not the city overall.

Is it safe?

Safety scores at 8.1/10 — comfortably safe — among the lower-crime mid-size cities in the country. Property crime is the more common concern (car break-ins, package theft) than violent crime in most neighborhoods. Standard urban hygiene applies: lock your car, don't leave valuables visible, install a basic camera. Specific high-crime corridors exist; ask local Reddit or a real estate agent which streets to avoid.

Can I find a job locally, or do I need to be remote?

the local job market is genuinely expanding (5.2% annual growth) — anchored by Dell Technologies, St. David's Medical Center, Emerson, with steady inflow of professionals. If you have a remote job already, this question is irrelevant and Round Rock is genuinely a great deal. If you need to job-hunt locally, expect salaries in the $55–80k range for most professional roles, with the major employers (Dell Technologies, St. David's Medical Center, Emerson) setting the upper end.

How's traffic and getting around?

Walkability is 32/100 and transit is 18/100 — practically, you need a car for nearly everything. Traffic is minimal — most drives are under 20 minutes door to door. Plan for car ownership; budget $4,500–5,500/year per car all-in.

Should I rent first or buy right away?

Rent for 3–6 months unless you already know Round Rock well. A $1,950/month median rent on a 2–3 bedroom buys you time to learn the neighborhoods, test the commute, and avoid the most common relocation mistake: buying in the wrong part of town because the listing photos were prettier. After six months, you'll have a confident view on whether to buy and where.

What's the social scene like for newcomers?

Small enough that you'll see the same faces at the same places — charming if you're sociable, isolating if you're not. The fastest on-ramps are gyms, faith communities, hobby leagues, and (for parents) school-based networks. Expect 3–6 months to feel genuinely connected, longer if you're remote and don't have a built-in coworker network.

Are property taxes high?

Texas has no state income tax, which means property taxes do more of the heavy lifting — expect roughly 1.0–1.3% of assessed value per year on a typical home in Round Rock. On a $442,000 median home, that's about $4,862/year. Insurance varies more by neighborhood and property than by city.

What's the food and dining scene actually like?

Honest answer: the scene is modest. A few standout restaurants, the major chains, and otherwise you're cooking at home most nights. Drive to the nearest larger metro for a special occasion. Grocery quality is fine — major chains plus usually one or two specialty options.

Will I regret moving here?

Depends entirely on what you expected. If you came expecting affordable space, manageable lifestyle, and a slower rhythm than a tier-1 metro — most people are quietly happy here, and the people who quietly stay for decades outnumber the ones who leave. If you came expecting urban density, elite schools, nonstop nightlife, or rapid career advancement in a local company — you'll be disappointed within a year. By day 90 you'll know. Trust that instinct.

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Data sources & freshness

Last updated: January 2026

All figures on the Round Rock, TX profile are compiled from verified public and industry datasets. Nabelly is independent — we accept no paid placements from cities, brokers, or developers. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.

U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year)
Population, demographics, income, commute
Bureau of Labor Statistics (QCEW & OEWS)
Employment, wages, industry mix
Zillow Home Value Index
Median home values
GreatSchools.org
School ratings
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)
Safety scores
Walk Score
Walkability
NOAA Climate Normals
Weather, sunshine, rainfall

Disclaimer: Figures are estimates for research purposes and may lag real-time market conditions. Verify critical numbers with a local professional before making relocation, purchase, or employment decisions.