CountyScore

Comal County

Texas · TX

#201 in Texas
58
County Score

County Report Card

About Comal County, Texas

Comal County Slightly Above National Median

Comal County scores 60.0, modestly above the national median of 50.0 and in the 60th percentile. This Hill Country county offers decent livability but faces trade-offs between growth and affordability.

Slightly Below Texas Average Livability

Comal County's 60.0 score falls short of Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Texas counties. The county ranks below roughly 60% of its Texas peers.

Solid Tax Rate and Above-Average Incomes

Comal County provides a tax score of 68.2 with a 1.210% effective rate, while the income score of 48.0 reflects a median household income of $99,015. This Austin-adjacent county attracts working professionals seeking proximity to the capital.

Rising Housing Costs Outpace Income Growth

The cost score of 56.8 is pulled down by median home values of $398,800 and rent at $1,460/month—high for the region's income levels. Growth pressure from nearby Austin is reshaping the county's affordability.

Fit for Hill Country Professionals

Comal County appeals to Austin commuters and professionals willing to trade affordability for Hill Country charm and community. It suits dual-income households with moderate-to-good earnings seeking a semi-rural lifestyle near a major metro.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax68.2Cost56.8SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome48Risk7.3WaterComing Soon
🏛68.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠56.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼48
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Comal County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
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Median income: $114,678
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Median income: $72,281
Grafton County
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Median income: $84,021
Albany County
New York
58
Median income: $83,149
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838

Deep Dives

Comal County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Comal County

via TaxByCounty

Comal County taxes below national median

Comal County's 1.210% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 1.41%, placing it in the lower-tax half of American counties. The median property tax of $4,827, while higher than the national median of $2,690 in absolute dollars, reflects Comal's strong real estate market—median home values of $398,800—rather than excessive tax rates.

Below-average tax rate for Texas

Comal County's 1.210% effective rate sits 0.066 percentage points below Texas's 1.276% state average, making it one of the state's more tax-friendly counties. The median tax of $4,827 exceeds the state median of $2,193 because Comal homes are worth significantly more, not because rates are higher.

Attractive Hill Country tax environment

Comal's 1.210% rate rivals nearby Colorado County's 1.091% and beats Collin County's 1.660%, positioning it as the sweet spot of the region. The $4,827 median tax reflects robust property values in this desirable Central Texas market without excessive tax burden.

Median home valued at $398,800

A typical Comal County home valued at $398,800 generates an annual property tax bill of $4,827 without a mortgage, or $5,622 with one included. This translates to roughly $402 monthly—significant in absolute terms, but reasonable given the quality and value of Hill Country properties.

Appraisals deserve scrutiny in hot market

Comal County's booming real estate market sometimes creates assessment lags, where homes are appraised above recent comparable sales as markets cool or stagnate. Homeowners should compare their assessments to recent arm's-length sales in their specific neighborhood and appeal if overassessed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Comal County

via CostByCounty

Comal County: Affluent living with balance

Renters in Comal County spend 17.7% of income on housing—better than the national average of roughly 30%—with a median rent of $1,460 per month. The typical household earns $99,015, well above the national median of $74,755, making these higher costs sustainable and proportionally affordable.

Premium pricing, but manageable affordability

Comal County's $1,460 median rent is 52% above the Texas state average of $963, yet its 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the state average of 18.1%. This Hill Country destination attracts affluent residents whose above-average incomes absorb premium housing costs effectively.

Pricier than rural West Texas, cheaper than Collin

Comal County's $1,460 rent sits between Colorado County ($1,002) and Collin County ($1,792), reflecting its position as a desirable Hill Country region. For homebuyers, Comal's $398,800 median home value exceeds most rural comparables but remains $49,000 below Collin's priciest markets.

Premium costs offset by strong incomes

The median Comal County household earning $99,015 allocates $1,460 monthly for rent (17.7% of income) or $1,632 monthly to own a $398,800 home. Combined housing costs approach 38% of gross income, but the robust $99,015 median salary makes these premium Hill Country prices manageable.

Comal invites affluent Hill Country living

Relocating to Comal County positions you in a scenic, affluent region with $1,460 median rents and $398,800 median home values. If you're relocating with an income above $99,000, Comal's proportional affordability becomes clear—compare these costs to lower-income rural counties to see how your earning power matters.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Comal County

via IncomeByCounty

Comal County's income nears national peak

At $99,015, Comal County's median household income exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 32%. This Hill Country gem attracts retirees, remote workers, and professionals seeking small-town living with strong earning potential.

Second-highest among Texas counties sampled

Comal County's $99,015 median ranks 53% above the Texas state average of $64,737, placing it among the state's most affluent counties. Per capita income of $51,472 towers above the state average of $33,197.

Only Collin County earns more

Comal County's $99,015 trails only Collin County ($117,588) in the eight-county sample, significantly exceeding all rural West Texas peers. This reflects its appeal as a prosperous Hill Country destination.

High home costs offset by strong incomes

Comal County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% remains manageable, but median home values of $398,800 are steep and require substantial household income. Strong local wages support homeownership among qualified buyers.

High earners should diversify aggressively

Comal County's above-average incomes unlock significant wealth-building potential through real estate, stock portfolios, and tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Consider professional financial planning to optimize investment returns and estate strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Comal County

via HealthByCounty

Comal County leads Texas in life expectancy

Comal County residents have a life expectancy of 78.3 years—nearly on par with the U.S. average of 79 years—making it one of Texas's top-performing counties. Just 16.3% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, and only 13.3% lack health insurance. These strong metrics reflect economic prosperity and robust healthcare access throughout the county.

Significantly exceeds Texas health averages

At 78.3 years, Comal County's life expectancy is 4 years higher than Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the state's healthiest counties. The 13.3% uninsured rate is substantially lower than Texas's 19.8% average, and the 16.3% poor/fair health rate reflects strong overall population wellness. Economic strength and healthcare infrastructure in the Hill Country region create measurable health advantages.

Second-best health outcomes in the region

Only Collin County (81.3 years) exceeds Comal's life expectancy of 78.3 years; it significantly outperforms all other regional counties including Comanche (74.8) and Colorado (74.0). Comal's 13.3% uninsured rate is among the best regionally, exceeding only Collin's 10.6%. The county's proximity to San Antonio and Hill Country prosperity create distinct health advantages over rural panhandle regions.

Strong provider network supports residents

Comal County offers 59 primary care providers and 187 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—excellent access that rivals or exceeds many urban areas. Residents benefit from proximity to San Antonio's medical center, plus local hospitals and specialty networks throughout New Braunfels and surrounding areas. High insurance coverage rates (86.7%) mean most residents can afford to access these abundant resources.

Maintain and optimize your coverage

With 86.7% of Comal County already insured, residents should focus on ensuring their coverage meets their family's needs and includes preventive care access. Those self-employed, retired, or between jobs can explore marketplace options at healthcare.gov to maintain continuous protection. Review annual coverage options during open enrollment to lock in affordable rates and comprehensive benefits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Comal County

via RiskByCounty

Comal County Faces High Risk

Comal County scores 92.68, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and significantly exceeding the national average for disaster risk. The Hill Country location exposes residents to multiple concurrent hazards, making it one of the riskier counties nationwide.

Among Texas's Highest-Risk Counties

Comal County's score of 92.68 nearly doubles the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper risk tier statewide. Only Collin County (98.86) exceeds Comal's exposure in this comparison group, reflecting the Hill Country's inherent vulnerability.

Significantly Riskier Than Most Peers

Comal County (92.68) approaches Collin County (98.86) in risk magnitude and vastly exceeds West Texas neighbors like Coke (3.66) and Concho (4.48). It represents the second-most hazardous location in this eight-county sample.

Flood, Tornado, and Wildfire Converge

Flood risk (96.56), tornado risk (93.23), and wildfire risk (89.31) are all exceptionally high in Comal County, each scoring near or above 89 points. This convergence of three major threats makes it among the most multi-hazard-exposed counties statewide.

Triple-Layer Insurance Essential

Comal County residents must secure separate flood insurance immediately—the 96.56 flood risk score demands it—alongside comprehensive wind and wildfire coverage in their homeowners policy. Review your policy annually before flood and fire seasons, and maintain at least 80% replacement-cost coverage to avoid penalties.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.