Cedar Park vs. Leander: Which City is Better?

If you're considering moving to the Austin area, you may wonder which city is better - Cedar Park or Leander? Both cities have their pros and cons, but let’s explore both to help you make an informed decision. 

Location

Cedar Park is located 20 miles northwest of downtown Austin in Williamson County. This makes it a prime location for those who don’t mind a minimal commute and that also work in downtown Austin. Accessibility is key with the location of Cedar Park, which I’ll get into a bit later. It is the second-largest city in the county and the fastest-growing county, with a population of 78,693. The median home price in Cedar Park is $575k as of November 2022, and the median household income was $110,478 in 2021. 

Leander is also located about 26 miles northwest of Austin, with a population of just over 59k. Leander was incorporated in 1993 and has also experienced rapid growth in recent years. In fact, it more than doubled in size from 2010-2020. The median home price in Leander is $525k, and the median household income is $106,108.

Cost of Living

Assuming you are looking at the cost of living comparison between the two cities, Cedar Park’s cost of living is 1% lower than the national average, while Leander’s cost of living is about 3% below the national average. Regarding housing, homes in Cedar Park are 2.4% more expensive than in Leander. 

Education in Cedar Park vs. Leander

If you have children, the education system is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a city to live in. Cedar Park and Leander are both great cities for families, but which one is better when it comes to education?

Well, this was a trick question. Leander ISD is a top-rated school district that serves both Cedar Park and Leander residents. This district has 40,355 students in grades PK, and K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.

Things to Do in Cedar Park vs. Leander

So far, there is no clear winner when it comes to Leander vs Cedar Park. Both cities are priced similarly and are relatively equidistant to Austin. However, when it comes to things to do, these cities are not created equal. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

Cedar Park boasts an exciting mix of natural and artificial scenes packed within 25.6 square miles. If you’re one for shopping, for instance, Cedar Park is a mini-paradise. At Cedar Park Center, there’s a Costco and At Home store and an HEB Plus in the HEB plaza. There’s also Michael’s, Stein Mart, Alama Drafthouse, Super Target, Hobby Lobby, PetSmart, and more. You can also drive down 183 South toward Austin to enjoy The Arboretum, Gateway Shopping Center, The Domain, and more. If you want to add a local touch to your experience, you can touch down at local stores like Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company, Southpaw Brewing Company, The Dig Pub, Cajun Skillet, Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill, and the list goes on.

For nature lovers, Cedar Park offers more than 750 caves, miles and miles of hiking trails, and a 100-year-old cabin. You won’t be running out of places to explore on your first day there; I’ll tell you that. There’s a wildlife habitat, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, just 30 minutes away from Cedar Park. You can also check out The Cedar Park Sculpture Garden, located next to the Cedar Park Recreation Center if you want something that’s not precisely wildlife. 

How does Cedar Park compare to Leander? 

Leander's population has exploded in recent years. In fact, According to the US Census Bureau, Leander was the fastest-growing large city in the country from 2018 to 2019 and has been listed as the best place to move to recently. Why did Leander make this list you might wonder. Well, residents can beat the heat at Quarry Splash Pad, explore Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark, which offers a variety of slides and swimming pools, or access Lake Travis through Lakewood Park or Sandy Creek Park. There are a lot of outdoor activities near Leander. 

While all of the fun things mentioned above are available to Cedar Park residents as well, Leander still has the advantage of being a little less expensive. Remember, Leander’s cost of living is about 3% below the national average whereas Cedar Park’s cost of living is 1% below the national average. 

For shopping, Leander is close to Round Rock Premium Outlets, Lakeline Mall, The Shops at Crystal Falls, Gateway Shopping Center, The Domain, The Parke, and much more. The Parke is roughly 8 minutes from Leander and offers residents access to Whole Foods, Starbucks, Juiceland, and more. 

Conclusion

There is no clear winner when it comes to Leander vs. Cedar Park. Both cities have pros and cons, and it depends on what you're looking for in a place to live. If you want to be close to Austin without being in the hustle and bustle of the city, both cities offer this. The only difference is that Leander is a little bit less expensive. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which city is better for your needs.