Housing Market
The Round Rock housing market is currently very hot. According to market analytics from the Austin Board of Realtors, in November 2021 the median price of a home in Round Rock was $460,000, a 46% increase over the previous year. As of February 2022, the median listing price for a home in Round Rock is about $400,000 and the median square footage is about 2,200 sf. About 60% of Round Rock homes are owner-occupied and about 40% of those who are moving to Round Rock are renters. Rental homes in Round Rock currently average about $1,800 for a house and $1,350 for an apartment.
Cost of Living
According to bestplaces.net, the Round Rock cost of living is higher than the US average. While groceries, health care, and miscellaneous costs are lower than the national and state average, other amenities such as housing, utilities, and transportation are higher. The median household income in Round Rock is $82,676 compared to the US average of $67,463 annually. The Economic Policy Institute reports the average family of four in Round Rock, Texas, needs to earn $80,000 to meet the cost of living expenses.
Weather & Natural Disasters
Round Rock, Texas, sits in a unique transition zone between the dry southwest and the humid southeast. It exhibits characteristics of both climates, although it’s officially classified as a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot and humid, with temperatures peaking in July and August at an average high of 97 degrees, while nights drop down to 75 degrees. The winters are mild with December and January as the coolest months, with average highs of 62 degrees and average lows of 42 degrees.
Snowfall is very uncommon in Central Texas but ice storms are not uncommon and Round Rock experiences one every two years on average. The city experiences four marked seasons, with spring and especially winter exhibiting pollen counts that can trigger allergies in prone individuals. Cedar trees begin to pollinate after the first frost of the season and typically continue through spring and can cause extreme allergies on windy winter days.
The average annual rainfall is 34.25 inches, and it rains most often in May and June. Thunderstorms, which can occur multiple times per year, bring winds, lightning, and heavy rain and can occasionally pose the threat of floods. Tornados are a minor threat as this region of Central Texas lies just south of the United States Tornado Alley.
Visit Ready Round Rock for disaster preparedness information and to subscribe to notifications for emergency events.
Traffic and Transportation
Round Rock’s primary thoroughfare is Interstate Highway 35, which runs north and south through Round Rock and divides the city into East and West sides. US Highway 79 runs through the east side of Round Rock, while Highway 45 runs through the southwest corner, providing access to Austin’s Loop 1, and the regional airport. As Round Rock continues to grow, the city is experiencing some congestion, but city planners have been proactive in initiating transportation projects, a dozen which are currently under construction.
According to WalkScore, Round Rock is a car-dependent city, with moderate accessibility for bikes. Most errands require a car, and not many bike lanes exist, though, within neighborhoods such as Chisholm Valley South and La Frontera, walking is possible. The walk score is 22, and the bike score is 33. Round Rock isn’t granted a transit score, however the city partners with Capital Metro to offer public transportation to the greater Austin area.
What To Do
The Texas Hill Country has a charm all its own. You can enjoy the wineries in towns just a short drive from Round Rock, such as Dripping Springs, Cedar Park, and New Braunfels. You can dance the night away at a rustic Coupland Dance Hall.
Round Rock is the self-proclaimed Sports Capital of Texas, a moniker that makes sense, given the city’s seemingly endless recreational opportunities. Dell Diamond is home to the Round Rock Express, a Triple-A Pacific Coast League baseball team. Settler’s Park is a 640-acre space with courts for baseball, softball, soccer, golf, as well as pavilions to host picnics and barbecues. Seven playgrounds sit throughout the park, as well as 3.3 miles of trails, and even a pier for catching bass, catfish, and perch.
For more outdoor adventure, several stunning state parks are a short drive away, perfect for a day trip. They include McKinney Falls State Park, Pedernales State Park, and Enchanted Rock. Each offers a unique combination of hiking trails, natural features such as canyons, and natural swimming options in rivers and creeks.
Schools and Universities
Round Rock Independent School District serves the Round Rock area, with 55 schools spanning grades K-12. Pflugerville ISD and Hutto ISD also serve specific neighborhoods. According to greatschools.org, K-12 students perform at a proficiency rate of 58%, significantly higher than the Texas state average of 31%. The Texas Education Agency designated a greater number of exemplary schools for Round Rock than any other suburb in Central Texas. These schools are Westwood High School, Canyon Vista, Walsh, and Cedar Valley middle schools; and Spicewood, Forest North, Caraway, Brushy Creek, Laurel Mountain, Fern Bluff, Canyon Creek, Great Oaks, Teravista, Cactus Ranch, Sommer, Deep Wood, Robertson, Pond Springs, Live Oak, Old Town, Jollyville, Forest Creek, Blackland Prairie, Union Hill, and Gattis elementary schools.
In recent years, the city’s leadership has concentrated efforts to provide greater and more varied higher education opportunities. Austin Community College provides students with over 100 areas of study in associate degree and technical certification programs. Texas State University’s Round Rock Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields spanning Computer Science, Education, and Health Science. Texas A&M’s Health Science Center provides its medical school students with third and fourth-year clinical training in regional clinics and hospitals.
Crime
According to bestplaces.net, Round Rock has a lower crime index than the state of Texas and neighboring Austin. Violent crimes occur at a much lower rate than the national and state averages – at an index of 10 compared to the US average of 22.7. Nonviolent crime, at 32, is just under the national average of 35. The areas with higher concentrations of reported crime are focused in downtown, central north, and the southwest and southeast regions, while all other surrounding regions exhibit a lower crime rate.
Utility Providers
Gas service – Contact Atmos Energy, the designated gas provider for Round Rock, to activate your service.
Electric service – Electricity in Round Rock is deregulated, meaning you’re able to choose an energy plan from providers based on rate and plan length. Browse Choose Texas Power to select a provider that suits your budget.
Water service – The City of Round Rock provides water, wastewater, and drainage utility. You apply for these services at RRTXWater.com. Due to its geography, Round Rock sometimes experiences drought conditions. To combat the recurring lack of water, the city implements water restrictions, which residents must closely follow. Also, the city rewards the use of efficient appliances through rebates programs and offers irrigation consultation for sustainable landscapes free of charge. Visit Water to learn more.
Trash pick-up/recycling service – The City of Round Rock also provides garbage and recycling collection, which means one less thing to worry about. You can also apply for these services at Garbage and Recycling.
Internet/Cable service – Choose from a variety of internet providers to service your home, selecting among plans for speed and value. AT&T, Century Link, and Spectrum are three popular options.
Best Neighborhoods in Round Rock, TX
Everyone wants to know where the best neighborhoods in Round Rock are. That really depends, but here are a few of the many great Neighborhoods in Round Rock, TX: Round Rock West, Settlers Crossing, Greenlawn, Chisholm Valley, Lake Forest, Behrens Ranch, The Woods, Paloma Lake. There are so many considerations that each person must consider, like budget, lot size, home size, age, schools, etc. ROCK Properties Realty is a great resource for learning about the subtle details of the great neighborhoods in Round Rock. Call us at 512-850-4510 to discuss the many neighborhoods, homes and communities in the City of Round Rock. The best way to make an informed decision is to let us help you do your research at ROCK Properties Realty.