countyscore
41.8
County Score
Income & Jobs 97.8Health 64.2Safety 55.3

County Report Card

About Kendall County, Texas

Kendall Nears the National Median

Kendall County earns a composite score of 41.3, placing it within reach of the national median of 50.0. It performs better than many rural counterparts but faces specific cost-related challenges.

On Par with Texas Averages

At 41.3, the county's score is nearly identical to the Texas state average of 41.9. It maintains a competitive position in the state, particularly regarding public health and economic stability.

Wealth and Wellness Lead the Way

An elite income score of 97.5 reflects a robust median household income of $110,498. The county also boasts a strong health score of 64.2 and a safety score of 55.3, signaling a secure and healthy environment.

High Entry Costs and Water Risks

The cost score of 5.3 highlights a lack of affordable housing, evidenced by a median home value of $489,800. Additionally, a low water score of 11.3 suggests long-term concerns regarding water quality or availability.

Ideal for Wealthy Families and Retirees

Kendall County is perfectly suited for high-net-worth individuals who prioritize safety and health over housing affordability. It offers an upscale lifestyle for those who can afford the premium price of entry.

2040608010028.55.755.364.254.597.834.511.331.3Tax28.5Cost5.7Safety55.3Health64.2Schools54.5Income97.8Risk34.5Water11.3Weather31.341.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Kendall County DNA

Foverall

How Kendall County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Kendall County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (97.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (11.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
28.5-23.5
Cost
5.7-42.3
Safety
55.3
Health
64.2+14.200000000000003
Schools
54.5
Income
97.8+46.8
Risk
34.5-12.5
Water
11.3-46.7
Weather
31.3-24.7
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Kendall County

Whether buying or refinancing in Kendall County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$512,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,606/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$512,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$64,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $114,962/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

34.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Kendall County with Tuolumne County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Tuolumne County
California
Median income: $77,404
41.8
Glynn County
Georgia
Median income: $69,799
41.8
Bourbon County
Kansas
Median income: $59,238
41.8
Johnson County
Kansas
Median income: $109,208
41.8
Rush County
Kansas
Median income: $59,970
41.8
Jones County
Mississippi
Median income: $52,216
41.8
Lincoln County
Mississippi
Median income: $51,119
41.8
Gloucester County
New Jersey
Median income: $105,115
41.8

Nearby counties

Comal County
Texas
33.9
Bexar County
Texas
18.1
Bandera County
Texas
45.6
Gillespie County
Texas
46
Blanco County
Texas
49
Medina County
Texas
35.8
Kerr County
Texas
41.5
Hays County
Texas
22.8

Deep Dives

Kendall County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kendall County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Standards in Kendall County

Kendall County is remarkably safe, earning an impressive safety score of 98.4 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1,018.1 per 100,000 residents is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading the State in Public Security

Scoring higher than the Texas average safety score of 96.8, Kendall ranks among the most secure regions in the state. Local law enforcement across six reporting agencies ensures a consistent focus on keeping the community safe.

A Safer Alternative to State Averages

Kendall's crime rate of 1,018.1 is significantly lower than the Texas state average of 2,052.5 per 100K. This makes it a preferred choice for those seeking a quieter, more secure environment than surrounding urban areas.

Low Violent Crime Defines the Area

The violent crime rate is a remarkably low 83.7 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crimes make up the bulk of reports at 934.4, yet this remains well under the national mark of 2,015.7.

Keep Kendall County Secure

Low crime rates are a point of pride, but proactive measures like motion-sensor lighting can deter opportunistic property crimes. Staying engaged with neighbors ensures that Kendall County remains a leading example of Texas safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kendall County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Hill Country weather patterns

Kendall County averages 66.5°F annually, which is notably warmer than the national median but cooler than South Texas. The elevation of the Hill Country provides slightly more relief than the coastal plains.

Slightly warmer than the state average

The county's average temperature of 66.5°F is just a degree higher than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. Its 35.4 inches of rainfall is slightly above the state's typical 31.9 inches.

The cool peak of the region

Kendall features the lowest summer average in this group at 81.2°F. It is significantly cooler and wetter than Jones County, though it shares the same low snowfall levels as Kaufman.

Fewer extreme heat days than neighbors

The county experiences 95 days over 90°F, the lowest among its regional peers. Winters are moderate with a 50.8°F average and only trace amounts of snow.

Focus on outdoor living and shade

Take advantage of the lower extreme heat count by investing in shaded outdoor spaces. The 35.4 inches of rain supports more diverse landscaping than the arid counties to the west.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kendall County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Earth of the Hill Country

Kendall County soil is distinctly alkaline with a pH of 7.68. This is significantly higher than the national median of 6.5 and even surpasses the Texas state average of 7.09.

Heavy Silt and Clay Mix

The soil contains 38.5% silt and 38.0% clay, with just 21.9% sand. This dense composition creates a heavy texture that retains nutrients effectively but can be difficult to work when it dries out.

High Organic Matter for Growth

Organic matter is a high point here at 2.78%, beating the Texas average of 1.66% and the national 2.0% benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.136 in/in ensures plants have slightly better moisture access than the typical Texas plot.

Slow Drainage and High Runoff

Classified in hydrologic group D, these soils have a very high runoff potential and slow infiltration. This makes the land better suited for hardy native range plants than for crops that require rapid drainage.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 8b

The combination of high organic matter and alkaline soil supports tough Hill Country classics like rosemary and Texas mountain laurel. Start a garden with drought-hardy perennials that can handle the heavy clay and limestone influence.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kendall County

via LawnByCounty

Kendall's High Difficulty Turf Battle

A difficulty score of 25.5 makes Kendall County significantly tougher for lawn care than the 31.7 state average. Gardeners in Zone 8b must work hard to overcome persistent climate challenges.

Hot Days and Moderate Rain

The region experiences 95 days of extreme heat and receives 35.4 inches of annual precipitation. These 6,414 growing degree days require a strict watering schedule to keep grass from going dormant.

Managing Alkaline Clay Soils

The soil pH of 7.68 is higher than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, potentially locking out essential nutrients. With 38.0% clay content, the ground easily compacts and often needs regular aeration.

Persistent Drought Challenges

The county spent the entire past year in drought, and 73.2% of the area currently faces severe conditions. Deep, infrequent watering is the best strategy to help roots survive these long dry spells.

Hardy Grasses for Kendall

Zoysia and Buffalo grass are recommended to handle the local heat and alkaline soil. You can begin planting after the final frost on March 15 to ensure a long establishment period.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kendall County's county score?
Kendall County, Texas has a composite county score of 41.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Kendall County rank among counties in Texas?
Kendall County ranks #129 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Kendall County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Kendall County is $5,656, with an effective tax rate of 1.10%. This earns Kendall County a tax score of 28.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kendall County?
The median household income in Kendall County, Texas is $114,962 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kendall County earns an income score of 97.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kendall County, Texas a good place to live?
Kendall County scores 41.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #129 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Kendall County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Kendall County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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