Trying to choose between Georgetown and Round Rock for your family’s next move? You want the right balance of schools, taxes, commute time, and places to play on weekends. In this guide, you’ll see how the two cities compare on the factors that shape daily life and long-term costs. You’ll also get simple checklists you can use before you tour homes. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot for families
Both cities draw Austin-area families for similar reasons: suburban space, strong job access, and a wide mix of neighborhoods. At a citywide level, list prices often look comparable, and the difference usually comes down to schools, annual property taxes, commute patterns, and amenities. Round Rock tends to offer shorter average commutes and a stronger aggregate district accountability score, while Georgetown often delivers newer master-planned communities, larger lots, and a hill-country feel.
Home prices and neighborhoods
Citywide price snapshots in late 2025 to early 2026 suggest Georgetown and Round Rock are peer suburbs for family buyers. Inside each city, prices vary by neighborhood age, builder product, and special districts. In Georgetown, the presence of a large 55-plus community, Sun City Texas, can influence medians because it adds many age-restricted listings to the mix. You can learn more about that community on the Sun City Texas overview page. (Sun City Texas)
Georgetown offers a strong lineup of family-focused master plans with community pools, parks, and trail access. Popular options include Wolf Ranch, Santa Rita Ranch, Berry Creek, and Mayfield Ranch. Many buyers find they can get more interior space or a larger yard compared with closer-in suburbs at similar prices.
Round Rock features a blend of established neighborhoods near the core and newer communities to the east and north. Demand is supported by proximity to major employers, retail, and youth sports facilities. For an overview of the city’s setting and services, visit the city’s profile page. (City of Round Rock)
How to shop smart
- Compare new-home vs. resale to see how builder incentives or HOA fees affect your bottom line.
- Ask for the most recent tax bill for any property you like.
- Check whether the home sits in a MUD or special district, which can add to the annual payment. (Williamson County property tax guide)
Schools and programs
Recent Texas Education Agency district accountability releases show different aggregate results. Round Rock ISD reports a district score in the B range and a larger share of A/B campuses. (RRISD accountability update) Georgetown ISD’s recent district rating has been in the C range, with some campuses improving and the district highlighting fiscal stewardship and facility investments. You can review GISD’s data and reports here. (GISD district profile)
Both districts offer advanced academics, dual-credit, and CTE pathways. Performance varies by campus, so it is important to check the exact school zone for any address you consider. Rapid growth in parts of Georgetown can also shift attendance boundaries over time, so keep an eye on new campus plans and enrollment updates.
School research checklist
- Confirm the school zone for the exact property address.
- Review the most recent campus report card and program list.
- Visit the campus and ask about advanced coursework, dual credit, and extracurriculars.
- Track planned schools and boundary changes that could affect long-term assignments.
Taxes and the true cost of ownership
Property taxes are a big driver of annual costs. For FY25–26, the City of Georgetown adopted a rate of 0.353 per $100 of value. (Georgetown adopted rate) The City of Round Rock adopted 0.372 per $100. (Round Rock budget office) On school taxes, Georgetown ISD adopted a total rate of 1.0506 per $100, while Round Rock ISD adopted 0.8931 per $100. County taxes also apply: Williamson County adopted about 0.413776 per $100. (Williamson County rate)
Here is a simple illustration using those components only, excluding exemptions and special districts:
- $400,000 taxable value equals 4,000 units of $100.
- Georgetown estimate: (0.353 + 1.0506 + 0.413776) × 4,000 ≈ $7,270 per year.
- Round Rock estimate: (0.372 + 0.8931 + 0.413776) × 4,000 ≈ $6,716 per year.
Actual bills can differ due to homestead or over-65 exemptions, hospital or ESD taxes, and especially MUD assessments in newer master-planned communities. Always request the latest tax bill and MUD notices for any property you are considering. (Williamson County property tax guide)
Commutes and transit
Average commute times tell part of the story. Recent Census QuickFacts show Round Rock residents average about 24 to 25 minutes to work, while Georgetown residents average about 28 minutes. (U.S. Census QuickFacts) The difference reflects the extra distance to central Austin for Georgetown and the location of major employers near Round Rock.
Transit access also differs. Round Rock offers park-and-ride connections and a commuter express to downtown Austin, which can help some daily commuters. Georgetown added rideGTX in 2025, a city-subsidized on-demand program with Uber and zTrip that improves local mobility within the city and to major hospitals. (rideGTX program)
Test-drive your commute
- Time your morning and evening drives from a short list of addresses.
- Try different routes, including I-35 and toll alternatives.
- If using transit, test a park-and-ride schedule or vanpool option.
Family amenities and healthcare
Georgetown offers a historic downtown square, the San Gabriel River and trail system, and easy access to weekend adventures at Blue Hole and Lake Georgetown. Round Rock features major family draws like youth sports complexes, Old Settlers Park, Dell Diamond, and a wide array of shopping and dining.
Both cities sit within an extensive healthcare network. Georgetown includes St. David’s Georgetown Hospital and has quick access to larger facilities in Round Rock for higher-acuity needs.
Which is right for you?
Choose Round Rock if your top priorities include a shorter average commute to central Austin and a district with higher recent aggregate accountability scores. Choose Georgetown if you want newer master-planned communities, larger lots, and a scenic hill-country feel, and you are comfortable with a modestly longer commute and a higher school tax rate in many areas. In both cases, you should compare the exact school campus, confirm all taxes and special districts for the property, and run a real-time commute test.
Ready to narrow your list and run the numbers on a few addresses? For a personalized neighborhood tour, school-zone checks, and a clear cost breakdown tailored to your family’s budget, reach out to Denise Arndt. You will get local guidance, organized timelines, and a calm, client-first process from search to closing.
FAQs
How do Georgetown and Round Rock compare on schools?
- Recent TEA releases show RRISD with a district rating in the B range and more A/B campuses, while GISD has been in the C range with some campus improvements. Always check the specific campus for an address. (RRISD) (GISD profile)
Which city tends to have a shorter commute to Austin?
- On average, Round Rock residents report shorter commute times than Georgetown residents, reflecting the closer distance to central Austin. Your results will vary by neighborhood and route. (Census QuickFacts)
Do property taxes differ a lot between the two?
- City rates are similar, but school district rates are a major factor. GISD’s adopted rate for FY25–26 is higher than RRISD’s, which can make annual costs higher for comparable values in many Georgetown addresses. Confirm all rates and any MUD assessments.
What is rideGTX in Georgetown?
- rideGTX is a city-subsidized on-demand program launched in 2025 that offers discounted rides within Georgetown and to key medical destinations. It helps with local mobility but is not a fixed commuter express. (rideGTX)
Why do Georgetown home prices vary by neighborhood?
- Product mix matters. Newer master-planned communities, MUD assessments, and the large 55-plus Sun City Texas community can influence medians and monthly costs. Review each neighborhood’s taxes and HOA. (Sun City Texas)
