Based on the panel data of R&D input and the urbanization level from 2002 to 2012 in 30 provinces, the effect of China's R&D input on the urbanization level was analyzed by using the root test, co-integration test, and error correction model. Results show that: (1) There is a long-term stable relationship between China's R&D input and urbanization level. The impact of technological innovation on the level of urbanization, however, is still weak. In addition, there exist great gaps between the input-output elasticity of R&D in different provinces. (2) R&D personnel input-output elasticity is generally higher than that in R&D funds, which indicates that R&D personnel plays more important roles in the urbanization of China. (3) The effect of R&D input on urbanization is related to the level of urbanization. Meanwhile, the coordination degree of R&D input and urbanization is also the key factor that influences R&D input and output. (4) The results of the error correction model indicate that there is a hysteresis effect in the influence of R&D short-term input on urbanization.