2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Round Rock

Texas (TX)
Best for: Tech professionals and families seeking Austin-area opportunity, schools and high household incomes
Round Rock TX 2027 livability
Medium City
2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents
Modern Livability79.9/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population141,282
Median Home$418,600
Median Rent$1,763
Median Household Income$99,287
Cost of LivingRPP 98.1 (US=100; BEA 2024)
Average Commute26.0 min
Unemployment3.6% (BLS 2024 annual avg)
Metro AreaAustin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

79.9overall
Housing & Financial Reality73.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living83.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability86.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity96.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness82.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion62.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Peak-hour slowdowns occur on major corridors, but many everyday trips remain manageable.
Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.
WalkabilityAbout 26/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.
Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.
Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.
Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.
Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.
Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Growing
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Round Rock is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #201 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are tech economy; high incomes; schools; austin access; family amenities. The clearest tradeoffs are traffic; rising housing costs; heat; rapid-growth pressure; car dependence. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Round Rock feels shaped by tech economy and its broader central texas / austin metro setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Tech economy; high incomes; schools; Austin access; family amenities.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Traffic; rising housing costs; heat; rapid-growth pressure; car dependence.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Round Rock ranks