Round Rock Vs Cedar Park, TX

, Jul 4, 2023

If you’re considering a move to the Lone Star State, Round Rock, and Cedar Park should be on your shortlist of potential destinations. Both fast-growing cities in the Austin metropolitan area, Round Rock and Cedar Park offer residents an impressive array of benefits. But how do you choose between the two? By taking a closer look at the advantages and potential drawbacks of each, we can help you make an informed decision that fits your lifestyle best.


Round Rock, TX: A City of Growth and Opportunities

Located approximately 20 miles north of downtown Austin, Round Rock is renowned for its economic vitality. The city is home to the international headquarters of Dell, creating a host of job opportunities in the tech sector. Round Rock’s proximity to Austin, also known as “Silicon Hills,” gives residents access to a flourishing tech job market.

Aside from its booming economy, Round Rock is known for its strong public school system. The Round Rock Independent School District receives high rankings, creating an environment conducive to academic success.

Community events are a focal point of life in Round Rock. From the annual Christmas Family Night to the July 4th Frontier Days Celebration, the city provides plenty of opportunities for community engagement.

Healthcare is another crucial factor when considering a move, and Round Rock does not disappoint. With leading hospitals such as the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center and St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, residents have access to top-tier medical facilities.

However, as with any city, Round Rock has its challenges. Rapid growth often brings issues like increased traffic and overcrowded schools. Additionally, while still more affordable than many U.S. cities, the cost of living in Round Rock has been increasing due to its growth and popularity.

10 Great Round Rock Neighborhoods:

Forest Creek|Vizcaya|Oaklands|Behrens Ranch|Mayfield Ranch|Cat Hollow|Teravista|Hidden Glen|Sonoma|Siena


Cedar Park, TX: A Blend of Urban and Suburban Living

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Austin, Cedar Park combines the convenience of city living with a small-town feel. Job opportunities abound, with diverse businesses and industries offering a robust job market.

One of Cedar Park’s standout features is its inclusion in the highly-rated Leander Independent School District. Known for strong academics and extracurricular activities, the district provides quality education to Cedar Park’s residents.

Outdoor recreation is another highlight. Cedar Park boasts an impressive park system, providing opportunities for residents to engage in a wide range of activities.

Safety is paramount, and Cedar Park frequently ranks as one of the safest cities in Texas. The city also brings entertainment close to home, with the H-E-B Center hosting major concerts, family shows, and sporting events.

However, just like Round Rock, Cedar Park faces challenges due to rapid growth, including traffic, congestion, and school overcrowding. Additionally, while Cedar Park is still more affordable than many U.S. cities, its cost of living and housing prices have been increasing due to high demand.

10 Great Round Rock Neighborhoods:

Buttercup Creek|Ranch at Deer Creek|Caballo Ranch|Cypress Canyon|Anderson Mill West|Forest Oaks|Walsh Trails|Silverado West|Lakeline Oaks|Woodford Estates


Making Your Decision

Choosing between Round Rock and Cedar Park largely depends on personal factors, including proximity to work, school preferences, and personal lifestyle. Both cities provide a high quality of life and ample opportunities for families and individuals.

Although deciding where to live can seem overwhelming, taking the time to understand the unique advantages and potential drawbacks of each location can help you make the right choice. Whether you’re drawn to the economic opportunities in Round Rock or the blend of urban and suburban living in Cedar Park, both cities offer a welcoming environment and a strong sense of community.

Ultimately, choosing where to live is a personal decision. Whether it’s Round Rock or Cedar Park, make sure your choice reflects your lifestyle and meets your needs and aspirations.

Both Round Rock and Cedar Park cater to residents who value education, community, and opportunities for outdoor activities. However, Round Rock might be a more fitting choice for tech professionals due to the presence of Dell and its proximity to Austin’s booming tech industry. On the other hand, Cedar Park, with its closer proximity to downtown Austin and host of entertainment options at the H-E-B Center, may be ideal for those who frequently indulge in the city’s cultural and recreational offerings.

While both cities have seen increases in the cost of living and housing prices, they remain more affordable than many other U.S. cities. This is especially noteworthy for families and individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of a thriving city without the typically associated high costs.

Moreover, both cities ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare services, with top-rated hospitals and medical facilities in close proximity. This, coupled with their respective low crime rates, makes both cities appealing for raising a family or retiring.

In conclusion, both Round Rock and Cedar Park offer an enticing mix of job opportunities, quality education, recreational activities, safety, and affordability. Deciding between the two involves an assessment of what factors are most important to you. Whether you choose the vibrant economy and community of Round Rock or the balanced urban-suburban living of Cedar Park, both cities stand ready to welcome you with a high quality of life in the heart of Texas.

  1. Round Rock Chamber of Commerce: Provides information on local businesses and the economic environment of Round Rock.
  2. Round Rock Independent School District: Official website detailing the educational offerings and achievements of the Round Rock school district.
  3. Round Rock, Texas Events: Lists the various community events happening in Round Rock.
  4. St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center: Information on one of the main healthcare providers in Round Rock.
  5. Cedar Park Economic Development: Outlines the city’s business environment and job opportunities.
  6. Leander Independent School District: Provides details on the educational environment and achievements of the Cedar Park school district.
  7. Cedar Park Parks and Recreation: Information on recreational opportunities and park facilities in Cedar Park.
  8. SafeWise: Cedar Park, TX: Report on the safety ranking of Cedar Park in Texas.
  9. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park: Lists entertainment and event offerings at the center.
About the Author

Last updated: 07/06/2023

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Joe’s input regarding preparing the property for sale was spot on and very successful. Great job!

My realtor was Tammy and we had a great experience. It felt that she wanted us in the home that is the best fit for us and felt that she was authentic and honest with us. We benefited from her experience and advice in avoiding places that wouldn’t have worked for my family and finding the place that checked off all our boxes. Thank you Tammy!

I cannot speak highly enough about the outstanding service we received from Kasey Gilliam and Kim Jowers with Bramlett Residential Real Estate during the recent sale of our home. They are a fantastic team! From our initial consultation to the successful closing, Kasey proved to be an invaluable asset, guiding us through every step of the process with expertise and professionalism. Kasey demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the local market dynamics and economic headwinds. Throughout the entire process, Kasey was proactive, communicative, and always available to address any questions or concerns we had. She provided regular updates and feedback that kept us informed and reassured, making the selling experience remarkably smooth. I wholeheartedly recommend Kasey to anyone looking for a top-notch real estate agent who truly prioritizes her clients’ needs!

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It was pleasure working with Tammy Costello from Bramlett Residential Real Estate in finding our home. We could not have imagined the process to be as seamless and easy as it was! As first-time home buyers, Tammy walked us through the process and guided us through each step. She is meticulous, has great communication and negotiation skills. With her help and years of experience, we were able to find our dream home. Thanks for making it so easy, Tammy!

I had the pleasure of working with Vicki Duran and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, Vicki demonstrated deep knowledge of the market and a genuine commitment to understanding my needs. Her communication was exceptional – always prompt, clear, and informative. Throughout the process, Vicki went above and beyond, negotiating on my behalf, explaining the process/each step along the way, and ensuring every detail was taken care of. Her professionalism, dedication, and personalized approach was exceptional. She truly cared and I felt like I was working with a close family friend (having never met her before the process began). I can’t emphasis enough how seamless she made the process for me. People have the perception that buying a house is an extremely stressful process. My experience could not have been farther from the truth. I joked with her at times how smooth/easy buying a house was, all because of Vicki!

I could not have asked for a better agent. I’ve already referred a few friends to Vicki and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks again, Vicki!

Blessed to have connected with Kristen! I can’t say enough great things about Kristen. Her professionalism, market knowledge, and communication were beyond compare. She was incredibly patient throughout our home search. We looked at a countless amount of homes (we are very picky), and never once felt she was trying to push us in to something that wasn’t the right fit for the sake of a sale. We always felt she had our best interest in mind. Couldn’t recommend her more!!!

Sally was referred to me via a business network when I first moved to Austin in 2022. She helped me understand the area, evaluate my options, and find the perfect spot in a tough market. Sally has been a joy to work with because she creates partnerships + friendships with her clients!

I was impressed by Sally’s expertise in selling both my investment property and my primary residence, and in helping us buy our dream home. At our initial meeting, we found Sally knew the real estate market, but found even more impressive her emotional quotient in understanding and navigating the differences between my partner’s and my very different personalities. For my investment property, she timed the showings and sale perfectly and created a helpful Excel spreadsheet comparing the many offers. She was also savvy enough to suggest we pay the tenants a fair amount of money to make the property available for viewing from 9am – 5pm on the first weekend to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to get through, and we let her deal directly with the tenants because we could tell her people skills would serve us well

We got multiple offers by the deadline on Monday afternoon with one outlier that was $150K higher than what we had unsuccessfully listed the property for (with a different realtor) a year earlier!

When it came to selling my primary home, Sally’s expertise in the luxury market, and in historic homes in particular, truly shone. She understood that selling a high-end property, with various restrictions, required a different approach. Sally crafted a listing for the home that perfectly captured its unique character and premier location. Her marketing strategy was well timed and appropriate for the more limited market, attracting the right buyer pool and creating a sense of exclusivity around the property. She suggested listing it on the private market for a week or two before sending a message that it would be listed on the MLS. She organized private showings that allowed buyers to experience the warmth and charm of the home and the neighborhood, which I believe was instrumental in securing a sale.

The pricing and marketing strategy Sally recommended was spot-on, and we sold the home at a price that far exceeded our expectations. Sally helped thread the needle perfectly.

Sally is also accessible. We found more well-known realtors would respond to our email days later, whereas she was always available right away to answer my questions, and provided us with regular updates, making sure every detail was handled with care. Selling a high-end property can be a stressful experience with fewer potential buyers and some downtime inherent in waiting for the right buyer, but Sally made it a smooth and surprisingly easy process encouraging us to be patient while giving us enough information on what was happening to satisfy both me and my partner. In the end, we were thrilled with the results

Sally’s rep of us as sellers could not have been more professional, but her work repping us as buyers is the most memorable. We were trying to be our dream home in an overheated market, and Sally gave us advice that at each turn proved invaluable. She recommended offering just the right amount above the offer price for us to make it to the next round of offers. She handled a very difficult appraisal process by advising us on financing sources, even offering to help us put down a higher amount by loaning us money herself! We were able to finance the home without taking her up on that offer, but how many realtors make that kind of offer to their clients? In the end, we closed on the house ontime and ended up with the home of our dreams, thanks to Sally’s world-class advice and service.

We cannot say enough good things about Sally’s technical knowledge, people skills, and responsiveness. You won’t find a better realtor in Austin.

I have lived here in Austin for more twenty-five years, and have bought and sold several homes and rented others during those years. I have worked with five realtors during that time. SALLY IS BY FAR THE BEST OF ANY IN TOWN. Her work ethic is simply unmatched. She hides her competitive streak underneath a layer of Austin hip and friendly, but she will absolutely get you the best home, the best deal, and stop at NOTHING to get your home sold as well!

Sally loves real estate. She has a genuine passion for Austin, too, and for her client’s well-being. She took time to understand my needs and was always available to answer any questions and provide me with honest and insightful advice.

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Sally is reliable, diligent in her research, prompt on exchanges, creative in deal making, and has a tremendous work ethic. She is the sole reason we were able to close on our primary residence, which has been our dream home and a fantastic investment. From there, we’ve gone on to close on multiple rental property purchases in Austin together. Thanks to her astute analysis, we’ve passed on many deals as well, which has proven just as valuable. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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