78542 vs 78538 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 78542, Orange = ZIP 78538.
Quick verdict: ZIP 78542 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 78538 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment.
Quick Facts
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%
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%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
86,11110,740
Median Income
$52,962$38,904
Median Home Value
$124k$87k
Median Rent
$710$368
Median Age
27.4 yrs34.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
30.9%35.6%
Demographics
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
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
32.9%32.5%
Black %
0.8%0.0%
Asian %
0.3%0.5%
Hispanic %
94.7%97.9%
Age 0–17 %
34.1%30.5%
Age 18–64 %
58.4%57.3%
Age 65+ %
7.5%12.2%
Bachelor's+ %
13.3%11.2%
Diversity Index
-1/100-6/100
Economy
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%
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%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$52,962$38,904
Unemployment %
9.9%7.2%
IRS Net Migration
+4,062+507
Work From Home %
10.5%7.2%
Housing
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
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$124k$87k
Median Rent
$710$368
Owner Occupied %
74.7%71.9%
Broadband %
82.3%71.4%
Vacant %
9.0%11.9%
Median Year Built
20041999
Climate & Location
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)
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)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
64 ft50 ft
Nearest Airport
21.1 miles (33.9 km)21.0 miles (33.9 km)
Distance to Coast
33.8 miles (54.3 km)25.5 miles (41.1 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 %
10.5%7.2%
Walkability (0–100)
2818
Broadband %
82.3%71.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 78542 and 78538 compare?
ZIP 78542 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 78538 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (78542), orange the second (78538). 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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