Living in Round Rock, Texas

Round Rock used to be a quiet suburb just north of Austin, but it's grown into a city with its own vibe, economy, and appeal. It’s known for being home to Dell Technologies and for having one of the most stable local economies in Texas. While some Austin suburbs feel like add-ons to the capital, Round Rock feels like a self-contained community with its own parks, downtown, schools, and family-friendly events.

That said, the city is very much part of the Austin orbit. You can live in Round Rock and still commute into Austin proper if you want to (though traffic on I-35 can be rough). More often than not, though, people move here to not deal with the hassle of downtown. Life here is a little slower-paced, a little easier to navigate, and a little more affordable—especially when it comes to housing.

The city has been intentional about investing in amenities and infrastructure, from walkable downtown redevelopment to sports complexes and nature trails. There’s a lot to love, but you’ll want to keep an eye on rising housing prices and crowding in some areas as the city continues to boom.

Round Rock does the “suburban-but-not-boring” thing well. It’s a family-focused city, but with enough parks, breweries, splash pads, and festivals to make weekends genuinely fun. Old Settlers Park is one of the best suburban parks in Central Texas—640 acres of trails, sports fields, fishing spots, and picnic areas. The Play for All Park is a standout too: an all-abilities, inclusive playground that families rave about.

The historic downtown is smaller than Georgetown’s (a nearby suburb), but still packed with charm. You'll find BBQ joints, live music, coffee shops, and even a speakeasy or two. Round Rock also has a big sports culture thanks to the Round Rock Express minor league baseball team, with Dell Diamond as a center of community activity.

While you’re not far from Austin’s culture scene, Round Rock residents generally find enough to do without leaving town.

Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) is one of the highest-rated in the Austin metro area, with an “A” grade from Niche.com. The district covers portions of Round Rock, Austin, and Cedar Park, and it’s known for high-performing academics, robust extracurriculars, and a wide array of magnet and International Baccalaureate programs. Some of the standout schools in the city include:

Cactus Ranch Elementary School: A-rated, with a 10/10 rating on GreatSchools.

Cedar Ridge High School: Offers strong arts and athletics programs, plus CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathways.

Families move to Round Rock specifically for school access. And with dozens of public and private options, there’s a fit for almost every family.