Trying to choose between Boerne and New Braunfels? Both give you Hill Country charm with quick access to San Antonio, but the daily experience can feel very different. Your best fit depends on commute needs, school options, taxes, budget, and how you like to spend weekends. In this guide, you’ll get clear comparisons, simple examples, and a step-by-step plan to make a confident choice. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: size and feel
Boerne is a smaller Hill Country city with a close-knit Main Street and a calmer pace. New Braunfels is larger, busier in peak seasons, and offers broader retail and entertainment.
- New Braunfels: about 116,400 residents as of July 2024, according to U.S. Census estimates. You can view the city’s profile on Census QuickFacts for more context on growth and demographics. See New Braunfels QuickFacts.
- Boerne: about 22,700 residents as of July 2024 based on Census estimates. The smaller population supports a quieter core and a strong local calendar.
Commute and location fit
Both cities offer reasonable drives into central San Antonio. Your exact start and end points will matter, especially at rush hour.
To San Antonio
Typical drives to downtown San Antonio run about 30 to 35 minutes in normal conditions from either city. New Braunfels sits along I‑35, while Boerne sits along I‑10. For a reference point, check a sample New Braunfels to San Antonio drive overview. See a New Braunfels to San Antonio drive snapshot.
To Austin
If you split time between Austin and San Antonio, New Braunfels usually wins on convenience. It is commonly about 45 to 60 minutes to Austin in normal traffic. Boerne is farther, typically 1.5 to 2 hours.
Transit and day-to-day travel
Both Boerne and New Braunfels are car-oriented. There is no full-service commuter rail to downtown San Antonio from either city at this time. Plan on driving, carpooling, or vanpooling for most commutes.
Schools at a glance
If schools are part of your decision, compare district ratings, then verify the exact campus for your address. District averages do not always reflect individual campus results.
- Boerne ISD: rated A in the recent Texas accountability cycle, with strong district-level performance and above-average college-readiness indicators. Review Boerne ISD district data.
- New Braunfels area: the broader city is served by New Braunfels ISD and parts of Comal ISD. New Braunfels ISD earned a B in the 2025 accountability release. Campus ratings vary. View the NBISD accountability update.
What you should do next:
- Verify school boundaries for the exact home you are considering.
- Review current TEA campus pages before you decide.
Property taxes in practice
Texas funds schools largely through property taxes, so your total bill is the sum of county, city, school district, and any special districts like hospital, ESD, MUD, or WCID. Small changes in these layers or in your taxable value can change your payment.
Boerne example: how the math works
A sample Boerne city parcel in 2025 showed a combined rate near 1.8645 per $100 of taxable value. This reflected components like Boerne ISD’s adopted rate of 1.0109, the City of Boerne rate of 0.4716, and Kendall County around 0.3770, plus any small special district charges.
- On a $500,000 taxable value: $500,000 ÷ 100 × 1.8645 ≈ $9,322.50 per year.
- On a $650,000 taxable value: $650,000 ÷ 100 × 1.8645 ≈ $12,119.25 per year.
You can review Boerne ISD’s tax-rate components and confirm current figures on the county page. Check Boerne ISD tax components.
New Braunfels example: how the math works
For 2025, NBISD approved a combined school tax of 1.0377 per $100. The City of New Braunfels published 0.408936, and Comal County adopted 0.305015. Your final combined rate can change based on special districts.
- Estimated combined example: 1.0377 + 0.408936 + 0.305015 ≈ 1.7517 per $100.
- On a $500,000 taxable value: $500,000 ÷ 100 × 1.7517 ≈ $8,758.50 per year.
- On a $650,000 taxable value: $650,000 ÷ 100 × 1.7517 ≈ $11,386.05 per year.
Review the district and city pages for the most current adopted rates. See NBISD’s adopted rate and the City of New Braunfels tax info.
Important reminders:
- Homestead exemptions lower taxable value and reduce the school portion for most owner-occupants.
- Every parcel is different. Always confirm the specific county, city, school district, and any special districts tied to the address before you estimate a payment.
Home prices and what your budget buys
Market sources report different numbers because they measure different things. As of late 2025 into early 2026, a safe way to think about citywide medians is:
- Boerne: roughly 575,000 to 630,000 depending on source and month.
- New Braunfels: roughly 340,000 to 400,000 citywide, with higher prices in areas like downtown and Gruene.
Your results will vary by neighborhood, lot size, and finish level. Here is a quick budget guide to set expectations:
Around $350,000
- New Braunfels: 3 to 4 bedroom homes in newer master-planned communities, often modest lots and efficient footprints.
- Boerne: smaller single-family homes or townhomes, or older homes that may need light updates; more options just outside the city core.
Around $500,000
- New Braunfels: 4 bedroom homes with 2,000 to 2,500 square feet in established or newer neighborhoods, some with community amenities.
- Boerne: 3 to 4 bedroom homes in established subdivisions or newer builds with quality finishes, often with access to Boerne’s small-town core.
Around $750,000
- New Braunfels: larger homes with upgraded finishes, some in sought-after zip codes with bigger lots.
- Boerne: newer or recent builds in premium communities, or small-acreage options further out.
$1,000,000 and up
- New Braunfels: custom homes and premium locations near river amenities or the Gruene area.
- Boerne: luxury Hill Country properties and club or gated options in high-demand communities.
If you want a precise read for a specific neighborhood, a local MLS search and custom comps will outperform any citywide median.
Lifestyle and amenities
Both cities deliver Hill Country living, but the day-to-day rhythm is different.
- Boerne highlights: a walkable Main Street, regular markets and festivals, and easy access to open space like the Cibolo Center for Conservation. Explore the Cibolo Center. Expect a calmer pace and a strong community calendar.
- New Braunfels highlights: rivers and tubing, major events, a busy visitor season, and a wider mix of shopping and dining. Landa Park anchors a large in-town green space with trails, a lake, and family amenities.
Healthcare access can also matter. New Braunfels supports an in-town hospital campus, while Boerne has added emergency care capacity and is a short drive to major San Antonio medical centers.
How to choose: a simple plan
Use these five checks to get to the right answer for your family.
- Commute first
- Map your start and end points, then test the route during peak hours. Typical drives to downtown San Antonio can be around 30 to 35 minutes from both cities, but peak times vary. Review a sample NB to SA drive.
- School check
- Start with district snapshots, then verify the campus tied to the exact address. Boerne ISD holds an A rating, and NBISD reports a B in the latest cycle. See Boerne ISD data and NBISD’s update.
- Tax and payment realism
- Pull the current components for your address. In Boerne, review county, city, and ISD components together. Check Boerne ISD tax components. In New Braunfels, confirm the NBISD rate and the City of New Braunfels rate. View NBISD’s adopted rate and the city tax page.
- Use the formula: annual tax = (taxable value ÷ 100) × combined rate. Remember that homestead and other exemptions reduce taxable value.
- Price buckets and neighborhoods
- Set a price band, then compare like-for-like homes across both cities. Citywide medians are a starting point, not the finish line. Expect higher prices in historic cores and premium master-planned communities.
- Lifestyle fit
- If you want a quieter, small-town feel with quick access to nature, Boerne often leads. If you want a larger city with more everyday entertainment and faster access to both San Antonio and Austin, New Braunfels is a strong match.
Ready to compare homes side by side?
If you want a local, data-backed plan tailored to your commute, school needs, and budget, we can help you narrow it to the best blocks, not just the best city. Reach out to Bryan Warhurst for a custom Boerne vs. New Braunfels comparison, on-the-ground insights, and a clear next step.
FAQs
How long is the commute from Boerne or New Braunfels to downtown San Antonio?
- Typical drives are about 30 to 35 minutes in normal traffic from either city, but rush-hour conditions and exact start points can change your time.
Which school districts serve Boerne and New Braunfels?
- Boerne is served by Boerne ISD. New Braunfels is primarily served by New Braunfels ISD, with parts of the area in Comal ISD. Always verify the campus for a specific address.
Are property taxes higher in Boerne or New Braunfels?
- It depends on the parcel. Your total bill combines county, city, school district, and any special districts, so small differences by address can change the outcome.
What home price ranges should I expect in each city?
- As a citywide guide, Boerne often ranges around the mid 500s to low 600s for the median, while New Braunfels ranges around the mid 300s to about 400k. Neighborhoods can trend higher or lower.
Which city fits a frequent Austin commute better?
- New Braunfels usually fits better if you travel to Austin often, since it sits on I‑35 and is commonly 45 to 60 minutes from Austin in normal traffic.
