Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Milwaukee, WI
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Round Rock leads 15 of 23 categories
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Round Rock
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $180k less ($157,800 vs $337,500)
Rent averages $604/mo less ($982 vs $1,586)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Round Rock
Cons
Median income trails Round Rock by $42,155/yr
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Round Rock, TX
Pros
Households earn $42,155 more per year on average
91% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 42.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,500
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Milwaukee
Key Differences at a Glance
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$180k less
$157,800 vs $337,500
Round Rock
Median Income
$42,155
$91,888 vs $49,733/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
91% lower
130.7 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Round Rock
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Round Rock
Summer Heat
12.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 82.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper | 97.6 |
| Median Home Value | $157,800 ✓ Lower | $337,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $982 ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $49,733 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.2 min ✓ Shorter | 25.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.4% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 277⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 377⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (82) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.1% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.4% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Milwaukee School District | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 29.7°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.8" ✓ Drier | 36.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 573,299 ✓ Larger | 120,465 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 55.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.7% ✓ More | 25.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% ✓ More | 10.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Milwaukee's cost of living index is 95.5 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 15 of 23 categories. Milwaukee wins 8 and Round Rock wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Milwaukee to Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($157,800 vs $337,500 median home), income ($49,733 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Milwaukee, WI and Round Rock, TX are about 1,017 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.