Kendall County

Texas · TX

#179 in Texas
60
County Score

County Report Card

About Kendall County, Texas

Kendall Exceeds National Livability

Kendall County's composite score of 59.2 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 59th percentile nationally. This reflects stronger-than-average livability across measured dimensions compared to U.S. counties broadly.

Still Below State Leaders

Kendall's score of 59.2 trails Texas's state average of 66.8, positioning it slightly below the middle tier of Texas counties. While competitive nationally, the county faces stiffer competition within its own state.

Low Taxes, Strong Incomes

Kendall shines with a Tax Score of 68.4 and an effective tax rate of just 1.202%, the lowest among these eight counties. The median household income of $110,498 leads this group, supporting its Income Score of 55.5 and reflecting a prosperous resident base.

Housing Costs Rising Fast

Despite strong incomes, Kendall's Cost Score of 53.3 reflects challenges in housing affordability, with a median home value of $489,800—the highest in this group. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and other dimensions leave gaps in the livability picture.

Premium Community for Affluent Families

Kendall suits high-income households seeking low taxes and strong earning potential, with the trade-off being elevated property costs. The county appeals to those prioritizing financial advantages and low tax burden over budget-friendly housing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.4Cost53.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.5Risk34.5WaterComing Soon
🏛68.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠53.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼55.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
34.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Kendall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kendall County

via TaxByCounty

Kendall County taxes above U.S. median

Kendall's effective tax rate of 1.202% beats the national median of 0.92%, placing the county in the top third of U.S. counties by tax burden. However, the median home here ($489,800) is 74% pricier than the national median, so the absolute tax bill reflects that wealth.

Kendall ranks slightly below state average

At 1.202%, Kendall's rate sits just under Texas's statewide average of 1.276%, making it a moderate-tax county by state standards. About 40% of Texas counties tax property at Kendall's rate or lower.

Kendall sits in the middle of Hill Country

Kendall's 1.202% rate falls between Kerr County (1.093%) and Kaufman County (1.732%), positioning it as a moderate tax hub in the region. Neighboring Kimble County (1.255%) taxes at nearly the same rate.

Kendall homeowners pay $5,890 annually

The median Kendall home valued at $489,800 carries a $5,890 tax bill each year. With school bonds and other obligations folded in, mortgage-holding residents face $6,813—significantly above the national median property tax of $2,690.

High home values mean appeal savings compound

In Kendall's premium market, even a small reassessment error translates to big tax savings. Review your appraisal notice carefully—misclassified properties or inflated values are common, and filing an appeal is free.

Cost of Living in Kendall County

via CostByCounty

Kendall offers strong income, premium rents

Kendall County residents earn $110,498 annually—48% above the national median—yet spend a manageable 17.1% on rent despite median rents of $1,576. This combination of high income and moderate rent burden makes Kendall one of the more affordable premium markets in Texas.

Texas's most affordable high-income county

Kendall ranks among Texas's best for housing affordability, with a 17.1% rent-to-income ratio below the state average of 18.1%. Despite median rents 64% higher than the state median, Kendall households' superior incomes keep housing costs proportionally manageable.

Premium prices, premium incomes

Kendall's $1,576 median rent and $489,800 median home values are the highest among comparable counties, reflecting its status as the wealthiest county in this region. Neighbors like Kerr County ($1,079 rent) and Kimble County ($795 rent) offer lower housing costs but also lower median incomes.

Less than 30% to housing costs

Kendall households allocate roughly 27% of income to combined renter and owner costs ($3,293 monthly against $9,208 monthly income). The county's high median home value ($489,800) reflects strong property appreciation and demand from affluent San Antonio suburbs.

Kendall: if you want upscale affordability

Relocating professionals with above-average salaries find Kendall attractive for its blend of suburban comfort and manageable housing burden near San Antonio. Test your income against Kendall's $110,498 median—if you're close, affordability works in your favor here.

Income & Jobs in Kendall County

via IncomeByCounty

Kendall leads Texas in household earnings

Kendall County's median household income of $110,498 towers 48% above the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of the nation's highest-earning counties. This exceptional income reflects the county's proximity to Austin's booming tech sector and affluent Hill Country retirees.

Texas's wealthiest county by median income

At $110,498, Kendall's median household income exceeds the Texas average of $64,737 by a stunning 71%, ranking it among the state's most prosperous counties. Per capita income of $57,181 nearly doubles the state average of $33,197, underscoring exceptional wealth concentration.

Far outearning Hill Country peers

Kendall's $110,498 median income vastly exceeds nearby Kerr ($67,927), Kimble ($65,703), and Kinney ($66,341) counties. Only Kaufman County ($88,606) comes close, but Kendall still leads the region by a decisive $21,892 margin.

Premium income supports premium costs

Despite a median home value of $489,800—the region's highest—Kendall residents spend only 17.1% of income on rent, comfortably within the 30% affordability benchmark. The county's exceptional earnings justify its elevated housing costs and lifestyle.

Capitalize on Kendall's wealth-building edge

Kendall households earn 48% above the national median, creating unparalleled opportunity to invest aggressively in retirement accounts, real estate portfolios, and diversified securities. Work with a wealth advisor to optimize tax strategies, leverage investment properties, and build generational wealth in this high-income county.

Health in Kendall County

via HealthByCounty

Kendall leads Texas—and the nation

Kendall County residents live to 79.8 years, a full 5.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years and one of Texas's highest life expectancies. Just 14.6% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 17.8%.

Healthiest county in Texas

Kendall's 79.8-year life expectancy ranks among Texas's very best, outpacing the state average of 74.3 years by more than five years. At 15.3% uninsured, Kendall residents also enjoy significantly better coverage than the state average of 19.8%.

Clear health advantage over peers

Kendall's life expectancy of 79.8 years vastly exceeds surrounding counties like Kerr (76.5 years) and Kimble (78.6 years). The county also boasts far superior provider density, with 86 primary care and 237 mental health providers per 100K—among the highest in the state.

Access meets affordability

With only 15.3% uninsured and 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Kendall offers exceptional health infrastructure and coverage. This combination allows residents to access preventive care easily and maintains one of Texas's healthiest populations.

Keep Kendall healthy—stay insured

Kendall's strong health outcomes depend on consistent coverage; if you're among the 15% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to explore marketplace plans. Maintaining coverage ensures you benefit from the excellent provider network already available in your county.

Disaster Risk in Kendall County

via RiskByCounty

Kendall's risk sits above national baseline

Kendall County scores 65.49, exceeding the US average and earning a "Relatively Low" risk rating that reflects modest but meaningful hazard exposure. Wildfire and flood risks emerge as the primary drivers of this above-average profile.

Kendall ranks moderate among Texas counties

At 65.49, Kendall sits 34% higher than Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of statewide risk. Wildfire risk of 85.46 is notably elevated compared to most Texas peers.

Kendall moderately exceeds nearby county risks

Kendall's score of 65.49 runs higher than Kent County (1.08) and Kinney County (2.19) but lower than Kerr County (77.16). The Hill Country position exposes Kendall to wildfire and drought conditions its western neighbors largely escape.

Wildfires and tornadoes pose greatest threats

Wildfire risk reaches 85.46—among the state's highest—while tornado risk of 73.57 remains well above average for the region. Dry summers and strong convective systems create a volatile combination.

Prepare for drought-driven wildfire seasons

Homeowner's insurance should explicitly cover wildfire damage; many standard policies exclude it unless added. Create a defensible perimeter around your home by clearing brush, trimming tree branches, and using fire-resistant roofing materials.

ByCounty Network

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