About Round Rock

Round Rock sits roughly 20 miles north of downtown Austin along the I-35 corridor and has grown from an Austin bedroom community into a self-sustaining city of approximately 142,000 residents. It is home to Dell Technologies' global headquarters, one of the most decorated public school systems in Texas, and a parks system anchored by the 645-acre Old Settlers Park. For buyers, Round Rock consistently delivers more square footage, larger lots, and newer construction than comparable Austin properties — typically at a meaningful discount to the Austin median. For sellers, demand stays steady thanks to the employment corridor running from Dell north to the Samsung facility in Taylor and south to the Apple and Domain campuses.

Spinelli Residential Group has represented buyers and sellers throughout Round Rock and the greater Austin metro for more than two decades. Below is our current market read, a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown, and the school and tax information that most often determines where families land.

Round Rock Real Estate Market Overview

Round Rock entered 2026 as a buyer's market, and that has held through the first half of the year. Inventory has recovered substantially from the historic lows of 2021 and 2022, days on market have lengthened, and sellers are routinely negotiating on price and contributing toward buyer closing costs. Median prices have corrected from the 2022 peak and are running modestly below 2025 levels.

What this means depends entirely on which side of the transaction you are on. Buyers have more negotiating leverage in Round Rock than at any point since 2019 — option periods are being honored, repair requests are being accommodated, and rate buydowns are common, particularly on builder inventory. Sellers are not without options, but the market no longer forgives overpricing. Homes priced correctly from day one in strong school zones still attract activity within the first two to three weeks; homes priced on 2022 comps sit, accumulate days on market, and eventually sell for less than they would have if priced right initially.

Round Rock's median also continues to run well below Austin's, which is the single biggest reason relocating buyers end up here. The same budget buys meaningfully more house.

Popular Round Rock Neighborhoods

Round Rock has more than 80 established neighborhoods. These are the communities we field the most questions about.

Teravista — The most complete amenity package in the city. A championship golf course, multiple pools, fitness center, and trail network, all wrapped into a relatively modest HOA. Teravista straddles the Round Rock and Georgetown line, which means school assignment varies by section — verify before you write an offer. Popular with relocating executives and families who want new or near-new construction.

Forest Creek — Established, upscale, and built around the Forest Creek Golf Club. Larger custom and semi-custom homes on mature lots with significant tree cover. Buyers who want luxury without a master-planned-community feel generally start here.

Behrens Ranch — Northwest Round Rock, known for quarter-acre lots, hilltop views, mature landscaping, and an extensive trail system. Inventory is limited, which has historically supported stable resale values. Strong school assignments and quick access to Southwest Williamson County Regional Park.

Brushy Creek — One of the largest and most established areas in the city, with development dating to the 1970s. Mature trees, larger lots, and direct access to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. Its position near 620 puts residents close to the Apple campus and The Domain, making it a favorite for North Austin commuters.

Paloma Lake — Built around a stocked lake with trails, a community center, and pools. Newer construction with a strong family orientation and an active neighborhood culture.

Mayfield Ranch — Newer development on the northwest side with parks, trails, and open space. Frequently sought out specifically for its elementary school assignment.

Cat Hollow — One of the most accessible entry points into Round Rock. Cul-de-sac layouts, low through-traffic, a fishing pond, and solid school zoning make it a common first stop for buyers moving in from higher-cost markets.

Old Town Round Rock — Historic character, walkability to downtown restaurants and the Round Rock Public Library, and older housing stock at lower entry price points. Appeals to buyers who want personality over uniformity.

Round Rock Schools and School Districts

Most of Round Rock is served by Round Rock ISD, which enrolls approximately 46,000 students across 65 campuses and consistently ranks among the strongest large districts in Texas. Highly rated elementary campuses include Cactus Ranch, Fern Bluff, Brushy Creek, Chandler Oaks, and Blackland Prairie. Middle schools include Walsh, Cedar Valley, and Stiles. High schools serving Round Rock addresses include Round Rock High School, McNeil, Stony Point, and Cedar Ridge.

Important: district and campus boundaries do not follow city limits. Portions of Round Rock are assigned to Leander ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Hutto ISD, or Georgetown ISD depending on the address — and attendance zones within Round Rock ISD are periodically redrawn as the district grows. Two homes on the same street can feed different campuses.

Never assume school assignment based on the subdivision name or a listing remark. We verify the assigned campus by exact address before you make an offer, every time.

Commuting from Round Rock

Approximate drive times from central Round Rock, outside of peak congestion:

• Downtown Austin — 30 to 40 minutes via I-35 or the SH-45 / MoPac route
• The Domain / North Austin tech corridor — 15 to 25 minutes
• Apple Parmer Lane campus — 15 to 20 minutes
• Dell world headquarters — 5 to 15 minutes, depending on neighborhood
• Samsung Taylor facility — 25 to 35 minutes via SH-79
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — 40 to 50 minutes

I-35 through Williamson County remains under long-term construction, and traffic patterns shift. Buyers commuting daily to a fixed location should test-drive the route at their actual departure time before committing to a neighborhood — the difference between a west-side and east-side Round Rock address can be 15 minutes each way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Round Rock Real Estate

Is Round Rock a good place to buy a home? Round Rock consistently ranks among the strongest suburbs in the Austin metro. Buyers get newer construction, larger lots, and lower median prices than comparable Austin properties, while staying inside a 30 to 40 minute commute of downtown. Demand is anchored by Dell's headquarters and the broader North Austin technology corridor, and Round Rock ISD is one of the most highly rated large districts in Texas.

How much do homes cost in Round Rock, TX? Round Rock's median sale price runs meaningfully below Austin's citywide median. Entry-level neighborhoods such as Cat Hollow and Old Town start lower, while master-planned communities like Teravista, Walsh Ranch, and Behrens Ranch command higher prices for newer construction and resort-style amenities. Price per square foot varies widely by neighborhood age and school assignment.

Is Round Rock a buyer's market or a seller's market in 2026? Round Rock is currently a buyer's market. Inventory has risen well above the 2021–2022 lows, homes are taking longer to sell, and sellers are commonly negotiating on price and contributing to closing costs. Well-priced homes in top school zones still move quickly, but buyers have more leverage than at any point in the last several years.

What school district is Round Rock in? Most of Round Rock is served by Round Rock ISD. Portions of the city fall within Leander ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Hutto ISD, or Georgetown ISD. Because boundaries do not follow city limits and are periodically redrawn, always verify the assigned campus by specific street address before making an offer.

What are property taxes in Round Rock, TX? Combined effective rates in Round Rock typically range from about 1.7% to 2.4% of appraised value, depending on your city, county, school district, and community college jurisdictions. Homes inside a MUD or PID district — common in newer master-planned communities — can carry an additional 0.3% to 0.7%. Texas has no state income tax, which offsets this for most households.

How far is Round Rock from Austin? Round Rock is approximately 20 miles north of downtown Austin along I-35. Typical drive times run 30 to 40 minutes to downtown, 15 to 25 minutes to The Domain and the North Austin tech corridor, and 40 to 50 minutes to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Which Round Rock neighborhoods are best for families? Behrens Ranch, Mayfield Ranch, Paloma Lake, and Brushy Creek are consistently the most requested by families, based on school assignment, trail access, and lot size. Teravista is popular with families who want the fullest amenity package, while Cat Hollow offers the most accessible entry price with strong elementary zoning.

How long does it take to sell a house in Round Rock? Timelines have lengthened considerably from the 2021–2022 market. Homes priced correctly from the first day of listing typically generate meaningful activity within two to three weeks. Overpriced listings can sit for months and generally close below what accurate initial pricing would have produced. Pricing strategy matters more in this market than at any point in the last five years.