2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Leander

Texas (TX)
Best for: Austin-area households seeking newer residential areas and local park space
Leander TX 2027 livability
Small City
2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents
Modern Livability74.2/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population91,132
Median Home$506,200
Median Rent$1,939
Median Household Income$139,048
Cost of LivingRPP 98.1 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)
Average Commute29.2 min (ACS 2020-2024)
Unemployment3.4% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)
Metro AreaAustin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

74.2overall
Housing & Financial Reality88.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living75.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability82.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity83.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness76.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place76.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion56.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape79.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging74.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment54.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture63.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity77.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 29.2 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.
Weekend EscapeLakewood Park provides a large local recreation destination with outdoor gathering and activity areas. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.
WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 28/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.
Airport AccessAustin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.
Outdoor AccessLakewood Park provides a large local recreation destination with outdoor gathering and activity areas.
Healthcare AccessCedar Park Regional Medical Center in nearby Cedar Park provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.
Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.
Third Places / Social LifeLeander's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. A rapidly expanding suburban city with newer neighborhoods and daily travel organized around major corridors. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Growing: +3.9% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Leander has 91,132 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #386 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $506,200, median monthly gross rent of $1,939, and median household income of $139,048. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. Lakewood Park provides a large local recreation destination with outdoor gathering and activity areas. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

A rapidly expanding suburban city with newer neighborhoods and daily travel organized around major corridors.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Median home value below four times median household income; Regional price level below the U.S. benchmark; Access to Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in nearby Cedar Park; Lakewood Park provides a large local recreation destination with outdoor gathering and activity areas.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Longer regional commutes; growth-related traffic; summer heat; car-oriented neighborhoods.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Leander ranks