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Williamson County vs. Travis County for Retirement
Round Rock vs. Austin · Head-to-head on the data · Verified 2026-06-10
Compare Williamson, Travis & 28 others for YOUR priorities →Two counties people often weigh against each other for retirement. Here's how Williamson County and Travis County stack up on the numbers that matter — taxes, cost, healthcare, and heat — with a plain read on who each one suits.
Side by side
| Measure | Williamson County | Travis County |
|---|---|---|
| Avg property tax | $7,238 | $6,783 | (Travis better)
| Cost of living (US=100) | 99 | 99 |
| Median home value | $385,000 | $347,700 | (Travis better)
| CMS hospital rating (/5) | 4.1 | 4 | (Williamson better)
| Physicians / 100k | 290 | 350 | (Travis better)
| 95°F+ days/yr | 108 | 110 | (Williamson better)
Who each one suits
Williamson County makes sense if you lean toward Round Rock and value a lower cost of living. Travis County is the stronger pick if its setting matters most, and it carries the lower tax bill. Neither is a clear winner — the "right" answer is whichever lines up with the priorities you'd set in the comparison tool.
Rank both against all 30 counties — free 2-minute tool →Common Questions
Is Williamson County or Travis County better for retirement?
Neither wins outright — it depends on your priorities. Williamson County (Round Rock) averages $7,238/yr in property tax with a cost-of-living index of 99; Travis County (Austin) is $6,783/yr at 99. On healthcare they run 4.1/5 vs 4/5, and on summer heat 108 vs 110 days above 95°F. Run the free comparison to weight these by what matters to you.
Which is cheaper, Williamson County or Travis County?
Travis County has the lower average property tax ($6,783/yr vs $7,238/yr), and Travis County has the lower overall cost of living. If you're 65+, the over-65 exemption and school-tax freeze apply in both.