Cedar Park vs Leander: which is better to live in?
Cedar Park gets A overall and Leander gets A. They finish close to even on our index.
Cedar Park wins on errands and things to do, getting around and health. Leander wins on cost of living, jobs and income, safety, home ownership and internet access.
Cedar Park suits young professionals better, while Leander suits people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Cedar Park | Leander | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | A | A |
| Population | 79,032 | 91,132 |
| Growth since 2020 | +1.8% | +53.9% |
| Median rent | $1,846 | $1,939 |
| Median home value | $513,600 | $506,200 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $3,552 | $3,528 |
| Median household income | $129,545 | $139,048 |
| Property tax per year | $8,893 | $9,083 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 91 | 58 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,223 | 471 |
| Schools rated A or B | 77% | 75% |
| Average commute | 25 min | 29 min |
| Work from home | 30% | 31% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 56% | 53% |
| Median age | 37.7 years | 36.3 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 114 | 112 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Low | Low |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Cedar Park | Leander | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C+ (52) | B- (63) |
| Jobs and income | A- (87) | A+ (97) |
| Schools | B+ (77) | B+ (74) |
| Safety | A- (80) | A+ (98) |
| Errands and things to do | C+ (53) | D- (10) |
| Getting around | D+ (25) | D- (11) |
| Education levels | A (88) | A- (86) |
| Health | B+ (76) | B (70) |
| Home ownership | A (92) | A+ (96) |
| Internet access | A- (80) | A+ (96) |
Cost of living
Overall costs are close between the two.
Rent is lower in Cedar Park: a median of $1,846 a month, 5% lower than Leander's $1,939.
The median home is worth $513,600 in Cedar Park and $506,200 in Leander. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $3,552 a month against $3,528, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 4.0 times income in Cedar Park and 3.6 times in Leander.
Commute and location
Commutes average 25 minutes in Cedar Park and 29 in Leander.
The two are about 5 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Leander has less violent crime. Cedar Park reported 91 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Leander reported 58 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 77% of Cedar Park's 17 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 75% of Leander's 20.
Common questions
Is Cedar Park or Leander better to live in?
They grade about the same overall (A vs A). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Cedar Park cheaper than Leander?
They cost about the same to live in.
Which is safer, Cedar Park or Leander?
Leander, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.