Quick Answer: Moving to New Braunfels in 2025 means settling into one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, sitting on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin. The U.S. Census counted 91,640 residents in 2020, and city estimates now put the population near 124,000. Expect no state income tax, two spring-fed rivers, and median rents around $1,400 a month.
Moving to New Braunfels drops you into the heart of the Texas Hill Country, a German-founded river town that keeps showing up on "fastest-growing" lists. The 2020 Census recorded 91,640 people. City figures shared in late 2025 put that number closer to 124,000, a jump of roughly 35% in five years. Compass Flats serves this community with studio and one-bedroom apartments, so you can browse available floor plans while you plan the logistics of your move.
What should you know before moving to New Braunfels?
New Braunfels sits in Comal County, about 32 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio and roughly 48 miles south of Austin. You get German heritage, the Comal and Guadalupe rivers, no state income tax, and a steady stream of new arrivals. Housing cooled a little after the 2024 peak, which gives newcomers some breathing room.
The town was founded in 1845 by German settlers, and that history still shapes daily life. Wurstfest draws crowds every fall. Gruene Hall, the state's oldest continually operating dance hall, books live music most nights. Summers run hot, so plan for high cooling bills from June through September.
Three quick things newcomers tend to underestimate: the tubing crowds in summer, the property tax bill that replaces the missing income tax, and how car-dependent the city is. Public transit exists but stays limited, so most residents drive.
Why is New Braunfels so popular?
New Braunfels is popular because it offers small-town pace with big-city access. Location does most of the heavy lifting. You can live near the rivers and the Hill Country while reaching jobs in two major metros within an hour. Add affordable housing relative to Austin, strong schools, and a busy tourism economy, and the appeal lines up.
The growth isn't only about people. The local hospitality sector generated a reported $1.3 billion economic impact in 2024, and the city now markets itself as a year-round destination rather than just a summer tubing stop. That tourism base supports retail, restaurants, and hotel jobs that many residents fill.
Here's what tends to draw people in:
- Easy I-35 access to San Antonio and Austin job markets
- Home prices generally well below comparable Austin properties
- The Comal and Guadalupe rivers for tubing, kayaking, and fishing
- German Texan culture, from Naegelin's Bakery to Wurstfest
- No state income tax across all of Texas
Want amenities that match that lifestyle? You can see the community amenities, including the pool, fitness center, and coworking space, before you commit.
What is the cost of living in New Braunfels TX?
Cost of living in New Braunfels TX lands close to the national average, with housing as the swing factor. Published indexes disagree. Some put the city a few points below the U.S. average, others a few points above. Most agree it stays well below Austin while sitting a touch higher than many smaller Texas towns.
That disagreement is worth flagging honestly. PayScale and Salary.com both estimated New Braunfels slightly below the national average in 2025, while BestPlaces put it near 10% above. The gap comes down to how each source weights housing and which neighborhoods they sample. Use the figures below as a starting point, not a precise budget.
| Relocation metric | New Braunfels figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | ~$1,426/month | RentCafe, mid-2026; down about 3% year over year |
| Median home value | ~$354,000 | Generally a third less than comparable Austin homes |
| Median household income | ~$86,000 | Above the Texas statewide median |
| State income tax | None | Offset by higher property taxes |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | State plus local combined |
| Drive to San Antonio | ~32 miles / 35 to 40 min | Via I-35, outside rush hour |
One caveat on rent. As of mid-2026, RentCafe pegged the average New Braunfels rent near $1,426, a slight drop from the year before. That softening reflects new apartment supply catching up with demand, so timing your lease can matter.
How does New Braunfels TX to San Antonio TX commuting work, and where are the New Braunfels city limits?
The New Braunfels TX to San Antonio TX drive runs about 32 miles down I-35, taking 35 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. The New Braunfels city limits stretch across both Comal and Guadalupe counties, with Comal serving as the county seat. The federal government even names the region the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area.
For daily commuters, timing is everything. I-35 backs up between 7 and 9 in the morning and again from 4 to 6 in the evening, so a 35-minute trip can stretch past an hour. VIA Metropolitan Transit runs park-and-ride options into San Antonio for residents who'd rather skip the wheel. Austin sits farther out, roughly 50 to 60 minutes north depending on traffic and whether you use the toll road.
Because the city spans two counties, your tax rates, school district, and even some utility providers can vary by address. Confirm which side of the county line a property sits on before you sign. You can tour the property through photos to get a feel for the location and finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Braunfels a good place to live in 2025?
Yes, for many movers. New Braunfels pairs river-town recreation with quick highway access to San Antonio and Austin jobs. The tradeoffs are hot summers, summer tubing traffic, and property taxes that replace the absent state income tax. Families and remote workers tend to rate it highly.
How much does it cost to live in New Braunfels TX?
Plan around a few core numbers. Average rent sits near $1,426 a month, the median home value runs about $354,000, and the median household income is roughly $86,000. Texas charges no state income tax, but property taxes and the 8.25% sales tax help the state recover revenue.
Why is New Braunfels growing so fast?
Several forces stack up:
- A location between two booming metros on I-35
- Housing cheaper than Austin or central San Antonio
- A tourism economy worth over a billion dollars a year
- No state income tax and a business-friendly climate
The result is roughly 5% annual population growth in recent years.
How far is New Braunfels from San Antonio?
About 32 miles separate the two, a 35 to 40 minute drive on I-35 outside of rush hour. Heavy traffic can push that past an hour. There's no commuter rail, but VIA park-and-ride buses and rideshare services connect the cities for residents who prefer not to drive every day.
What counties is New Braunfels in?
New Braunfels spans Comal County and Guadalupe County, with Comal as the county seat. That two-county split means tax rates, school assignments, and utilities can differ by address. Always verify which county a home falls in before leasing or buying, since it affects your monthly costs.
Conclusion
Moving to New Braunfels in 2025 puts you in a fast-growing Hill Country city with rivers out the door and two major job markets within an hour. The cost of living tracks close to the national average, housing beats Austin, and the German Texan culture gives the place real character. If you're ready to settle in, take a look at the Compass Flats community in New Braunfels to start your search.
