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Comal County, TX

RANK #987 / 996  ·  POP 165,201  ·  TX

PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.8%

Comal County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Comal County?

New Braunfels, the county seat of Comal County, is known for its German-Texan heritage, evident in its architecture and annual festivals like Wurstfest. Located in south-central Texas, Comal County sits between San Antonio (29 miles northeast) and Austin (45 miles southwest), offering a blend of Hill Country scenery and convenient access to major cities. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, with the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers popular for tubing, kayaking, and fishing, alongside Canyon Lake for boating and swimming. Numerous parks and trails, such as those in Landa Park and Guadalupe River State Park, provide opportunities for hiking and enjoying the natural landscape.

Life in Comal County attracts families and those seeking a balance of natural beauty and community amenities. The area is served by highly-rated public schools, including Comal Independent School District and New Braunfels Independent School District. Commute options primarily involve personal vehicles, though regional public transportation and rideshare services are available. The economy is experiencing growth, with tourism playing a significant role, particularly in New Braunfels. Beyond tourism, the county sees investment in various sectors, including technology and warehousing, contributing to job growth and a changing economic landscape.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.6x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+6.7%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-2.0%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
3.2

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
20x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Comal County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
165,201
+5.72% YoY
Median Household Income
$93,744
Median Home Value
$369,400
-2.01% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,390
Average Annual Pay
$58,057
+4.4% YoY
Employment
76,434
+3.9% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2538
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
6.02%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$393,405
Days on Market
108
Slower market
Months of Supply
7.3
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
10.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
29.8%
Building Permits (2024)
3,430
Single-Family Permits
2,263

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,495M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
San Marcos Data Center I (CloudBurst Data Centers & Evolve Holdings)
CloudBurst Data Centers & Evolve Holdings
$1,200M Under Construction
Project Comal Data Center
KDC Real Estate Development and Investments
$145M Planned
Costco New Braunfels
Costco
$50M Under Construction
Mayfair Master-Planned Development
Undisclosed (mentioned in context of Costco)
$50M Planned
Veramendi Master-Planned Development
Undisclosed
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +6.7% 93 percentile
Population Growth +5.7% 100 percentile
Income Growth +9.1% 66 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 54 percentile
Home Price Change -2.0% 14 percentile
Rent Growth -1.6% 2 percentile
Price/Rent 20x 9 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comal County, TX a good place to move to?

Comal County has a Boom Town Index score of 1/100, ranking #987 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.9% and a median household income of $93,744, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Comal County affordable?

The median home value in Comal County is $369,400 with median rent at $1,390/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2538, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Comal County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +5.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.9%. Home values changed -2.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Comal County?

Yes — 6.02% of Comal County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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