Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Round Rock leads 16 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Round Rock
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
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.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Rent averages $89/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,586)
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Round Rock by $18,513/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 3.8%)
Round Rock, TX
Pros
80% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (3.8%)
Households earn $18,513 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $44k less ($337,500 vs $381,800)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Round Rock
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Round Rock
Median Income
$18,513
$91,888 vs $73,375/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
80% lower
130.7 vs 655.7 per 100k
Round Rock
Median Home Value
$44k less
$337,500 vs $381,800
Round Rock
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
3.8% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $337,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 36.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 120,465 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 55.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 25.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 10.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Round Rock is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 16 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 6 and Round Rock wins 16. 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 Modesto to Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $337,500 median home), income ($73,375 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Round Rock, TX are about 1,419 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.