Moving from Round Rock, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Round Rock, TX to Austin, TX is a 20 mi drive, about 29 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
20 mi · 29 min by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | LOOP 1, EXPRESS 1 TOLL, TX 45 TOLL |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Round Rock (98.066) and Austin (98.066) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Austin: 0.0% above Round Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 0.0% below Round Rock ($97,187 → $91,461, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 24.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 29 min via LOOP 1 and EXPRESS 1 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 5.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Austin, TX.