Living in New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels is the 245th-largest city in the US, home to about 122,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 35.5% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (94.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 122,492+35.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $339,4003.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,654/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $86,021median, per year
- Price level
- 94.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 64° / 96°lows 40° / 73°
- Average commute
- 27 min16% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Comal County, Guadalupe County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 630 ft
Metro area: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
Cost of living in New Braunfels
The median home in New Braunfels is worth $339,400 and the median household earns $86,021 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,654 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro area at 94.7, with housing at 94.6 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $71,000 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in New Braunfels?
New Braunfels weather
Average highs run from 64°F in January to 96°F in July, and January nights average 40°F. It gets 31 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 128 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to April and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit New Braunfels
People and work
The median resident is 37.1 years old, and 39% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 65% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 37.1315th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 39%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 65%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,72145.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.6% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 7.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2006median year
Who moves to New Braunfels, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Fort Worth (Tarrant County) and The Woodlands (Montgomery County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Comal County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, inland flooding, winter weather, hail.
Home prices
-0.5% in a year
Up 29% over five years. FHFA house price index for the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
42% good days
11 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near New Braunfels
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Texas State University 16 miles
- San Antonio College 29 miles
- Northeast Lakeview College 17 miles
- University of the Incarnate Word 27 miles
- Trinity University 28 miles
- St. Mary's University 32 miles
- Texas Lutheran University 13 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near New Braunfels
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio International Airport SAT | 25 mi | 5,466,684 |
| Austin-Bergstrom International Airport AUS | 42 mi | 10,678,073 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near New Braunfels
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State University | 16 mi | 36,177 | $16,660 | 55% |
| Northeast Lakeview College | 17 mi | 6,471 | $4,350 | 31% |
| Texas Lutheran University | 13 mi | 1,304 | $20,716 | 52% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in New Braunfels
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 1, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 15 and the first frost comes around November 26.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Austin San Antonio, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for New Braunfels.
Wildfire smoke in New Braunfels
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered New Braunfels on about 144 days a year, including about 14 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in New Braunfels
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 40,991 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in New Braunfels
Downtown New Braunfels is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels Independent School District | Pre-K to 12 | 9,893 | 16 | 15.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Comal Independent School District (29,839 students), Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (14,947 students), San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (8,222 students), Seguin Independent School District (7,290 students), Navarro Independent School District (2,702 students), Marion Independent School District (1,709 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
New Braunfels's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to New Braunfels's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Tallahassee, FL68% matchCompare
- Savannah, GA68% matchCompare
- Midland, TX65% matchCompare
- Gainesville, FL64% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near New Braunfels
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in New Braunfels
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 5% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 64°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+35.5% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 128 days a year reach 90°F.
New Braunfels report card from locals
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New Braunfels through locals' eyes
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Cities near New Braunfels
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos, TX | 25 mi | 77,830 | $310,400 | 98.1 | Compare |
| San Antonio, TX | 28 mi | 1,548,422 | $235,700 | 94.7 | Compare |
| Austin, TX | 47 mi | 1,002,632 | $555,300 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Cedar Park, TX | 57 mi | 79,032 | $513,600 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Leander, TX | 61 mi | 91,132 | $506,200 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Georgetown, TX | 69 mi | 106,907 | $429,100 | 98.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
New Braunfels ranks 11th of 15 in our best suburbs of San Antonio ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare New Braunfels with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is New Braunfels a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages; the trade-offs are 128 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare New Braunfels side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of New Braunfels?
The Census Bureau estimates New Braunfels had 122,492 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 90,394 in April 2020 (+35.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in New Braunfels?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $71,000 in the New Braunfels area. The median household here earns $86,021.
When is the best time to visit New Braunfels?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 96°F and January 64°F for daytime highs.
What county is New Braunfels in?
New Braunfels spans Comal County (54%), Guadalupe County (46%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is New Braunfels in?
New Braunfels is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of New Braunfels?
About 630 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of New Braunfels. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Austin San Antonio, TX station; snowfall from New Braunfels, TX. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.