Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Round Rock, TX
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Round Rock leads 14 of 22 categories
Round Rock
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465
Spokane
Washington
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Round Rock, TX
Pros
81% less violent crime than Spokane
Households earn $28,572 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 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 38°F
More college-educated — 42.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $337,500
Spokane, WA
Pros
Rent averages $526/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,586)
Homes cost $51k less ($286,900 vs $337,500)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Round Rock by $28,572/yr
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Round Rock
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 101.0 (100 = US avg)
Round Rock
Median Income
$28,572
$91,888 vs $63,316/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
81% lower
130.7 vs 674.9 per 100k
Round Rock
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.2% unemployment
Round Rock
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Median Home Value
$51k less
$286,900 vs $337,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper | 101.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $337,500⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,586⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $91,888 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 12.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 58 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 34 ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.3% ✓ Higher | 32.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ROUND ROCK ISD | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 120,465 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 10.3% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Round Rock's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Round Rock is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 14 of 22 categories. Round Rock wins 14 and Spokane wins 8. 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 Round Rock to Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($337,500 vs $286,900 median home), income ($91,888 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Round Rock, TX and Spokane, WA are about 1,580 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.