Move over, Austin! A neighbor to Texas’ capital city doubles as one of the best places to live in America.
Located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Austin is the city of Cedar Park, a bustling suburb that has spiked in both its population and economic footprint in recent years. Home to major technology, entertainment and industrial company leaders like VRN Technologies, Firfly Aerospace and the future headquarters for youth baseball and softball scouting service Perfect Game, Cedar Park’s proximity to Austin’s boomtown appeal has established itself as its own economic hub.
For those looking to move to Cedar Park or pay it a visit, here’s everything you need to know about its slice of Texas Hill Country life.
What’s the population of Cedar Park?
The city of Cedar Park is home to approximately 83,159 people, according to city officials. The median age of residents amounts to 34.74 years, while more than half of Cedar Park community members have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, indicative of the city’s status as one of the bigger employment hubs in the metro area.
What are the school districts like in Cedar Park?
Students living within the city of Cedar Park are zoned within the Leander Independent School District, with the ISD also serving residents from portions of Austin, Georgetown, Leander, Jonestown and other area communities. Leander ISD is home to 49 campuses and has approximately 42,000 students enrolled in the district, per Leander ISD documents.
City council breakdown for Cedar Park
Cedar Park City Council features six elected city council members serving on the dais alongside the mayor. Currently, Jim Penniman-Morin is mayor of the community, joined by Council Members Alexis Frezza, Mel Kirkland, Anne Duffy, Eric Boyce, Kevin Harris and Petri Darby. Council members are carry out two-year terms and are elected at large, as opposed to representing specific districts or areas of the city.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Cedar Park?
As of late November 2025, the average Cedar Park home was valued at $462,389, down approximately 5.6% between November 2025 and November 2024, according to Zillow housing market analytics. Looking specifically at city neighborhoods, Cedar Park’s Walsh Ranch neighborhood clocked in with the highest home values at an average of $846,104, while the Jollyville neighborhood reported the lowest home value costs at an average of $435,828.
What’s the average renter cost in Cedar Park?
Late December 2025 data from Zillow found the average rent in Cedar Park came in at $2,100, up $25 month over month but down $100 when compared to December 2024 rental figures. Those averages encompass lower-end costs for studios and one-bedroom units (hovering around $1,004 and $1,144 per month, respectively) and higher-end price points for larger unit models (two-bedroom units at $1,418, three-bedroom apartments at $2,028 and four-bedroom offerings listed as $2,750 per month).
Cost of utilities in Cedar Park
Zeroing in on housing expenses, Cedar Park’s average energy bill lands around $214.81 per month, according to data from compensation management website Payscale. When looking at overall housing-related costs, Cedar Park’s are reported at 11% lower than the national average, while its utility costs land roughly 1% lower.
Best places to eat in Cedar Park
TripAdvisor’s roundup of the top restaurants in Cedar Park include:
- Blue Corn Harvest Bar and Grill: 700 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite 204, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- CR Surf and Turf: 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite 200, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen: 1310 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite. 500, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- The Peached Tortilla: 1915 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite 105, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Jack Allen’s Kitchen: 1345 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant: 4501 U.S. Hwy. 183A Toll Road, Suite B, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Dos Salsas Tex-Mex Restaurant: 1600 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Soto Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar: 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Suite 402, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Takara Sushi & Asian Bistro: 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite T-140, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Sweetwater Oyster Bar: 1500 E. Whitestone Blvd., Suite 200, Cedar Park, TX 78613
How to get to Cedar Park from San Antonio
There are two primary routes to get to Cedar Park from San Antonio. Visitors can take Interstate 35 north from San Antonio to the U.S. Highway 183 interchange and taking U.S. Hwy. 183 all the way to Cedar Park. An alternative route has drivers take I-10 to State Highway 130 near Kingsburgy, traveling along that toll road northward until they hit State Highway 71 near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Once on SH 71, drivers will merge onto U.S. Highway 183 and continue on that highway until they reach Cedar Park.
What is Cedar Park famous for?
Alongside being nestled on the outskirts of Northwest Austin, Cedar Park is home to the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars and the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs, affiliates of the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars and the National Basketball Association’s San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Both the Texas Stars and the Austin Spurs play at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, a venue that also hosts concerts and other live events.
Is Cedar Park cheaper than Austin?
When comparing overall living costs, Cedar Park ends up being roughly 1.5% cheaper than expenses living in Austin, according to data from Apartments.com. Austin clocks in with 12.3% higher home listing prices and 3% higher transportation-related costs, while Cedar Park’s average grocery costs are 1.8% higher and utilities run 9.2% more than in Austin, the dataset found.
Is Cedar Park a good place to live?
Back in May 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked a dozen Texas communities among the best places to live in the country, including four in Central Texas. Among those Austin-area cities, Cedar Park came in at No. 23, praising the city’s higher median incomes and more affordable home values and rent compared to other neighboring communities…