78538 vs 78542 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 78538, Orange = ZIP 78542.
Quick verdict: ZIP 78538 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 78542 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- Population10,740
- Median Income$38,904
- Median Home Value$87k
- Median Rent$368
- Median Age34.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate35.6%
ZIP 78542
Linn CDP, TX
View full profile →- Population86,111
- Median Income$52,962
- Median Home Value$124k
- Median Rent$710
- Median Age27.4 yrs
- Poverty Rate30.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
10,74086,111
Median Income
$38,904$52,962
Median Home Value
$87k$124k
Median Rent
$368$710
Median Age
34.2 yrs27.4 yrs
Poverty Rate
35.6%30.9%
Demographics
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- White %32.5%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.5%
- Hispanic %97.9%
- Age 0–17 %30.5%
- Age 18–64 %57.3%
- Age 65+ %12.2%
- Bachelor's+ %11.2%
- Diversity Index-6/100
ZIP 78542
Linn CDP, TX
View full profile →- White %32.9%
- Black %0.8%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %94.7%
- Age 0–17 %34.1%
- Age 18–64 %58.4%
- Age 65+ %7.5%
- Bachelor's+ %13.3%
- Diversity Index-1/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
32.5%32.9%
Black %
0.0%0.8%
Asian %
0.5%0.3%
Hispanic %
97.9%94.7%
Age 0–17 %
30.5%34.1%
Age 18–64 %
57.3%58.4%
Age 65+ %
12.2%7.5%
Bachelor's+ %
11.2%13.3%
Diversity Index
-6/100-1/100
Economy
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$38,904
- Unemployment %7.2%
- IRS Net Migration+507
- Work From Home %7.2%
ZIP 78542
Linn CDP, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$52,962
- Unemployment %9.9%
- IRS Net Migration+4,062
- Work From Home %10.5%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$38,904$52,962
Unemployment %
7.2%9.9%
IRS Net Migration
+507+4,062
Work From Home %
7.2%10.5%
Housing
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$87k
- Median Rent$368
- Owner Occupied %71.9%
- Broadband %71.4%
- Vacant %11.9%
- Median Year Built1999
ZIP 78542
Linn CDP, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$124k
- Median Rent$710
- Owner Occupied %74.7%
- Broadband %82.3%
- Vacant %9.0%
- Median Year Built2004
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$87k$124k
Median Rent
$368$710
Owner Occupied %
71.9%74.7%
Broadband %
71.4%82.3%
Vacant %
11.9%9.0%
Median Year Built
19992004
Climate & Location
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)50 ft
- Nearest Airport21.0 miles (33.9 km)
- Distance to Coast25.5 miles (41.1 km)
ZIP 78542
Linn CDP, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)64 ft
- Nearest Airport21.1 miles (33.9 km)
- Distance to Coast33.8 miles (54.3 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
50 ft64 ft
Nearest Airport
21.0 miles (33.9 km)21.1 miles (33.9 km)
Distance to Coast
25.5 miles (41.1 km)33.8 miles (54.3 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 78538
Monte Alto CDP, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.2%
- Walkability (0–100)18
- Broadband %71.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.2%10.5%
Walkability (0–100)
1828
Broadband %
71.4%82.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 78538 and 78542 compare?
ZIP 78538 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 78542 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (78538), orange the second (78542). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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