A
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
30%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index New Braunfels Texas National
Cost of living10894100
Groceries9798100
Health care9998100
Housing13083100
Transportation9698100
Utilities103103100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9598100
Household Items9898100
Education & Childcare9998100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in New Braunfels, TX

The cost of living in New Braunfels affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in New Braunfels is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in New Braunfels is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in New Braunfels, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 30.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in New Braunfels?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 10 locals to get their views on the cost of living in New Braunfels. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 50% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 50% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is New Braunfels Affordable?

Is New Braunfels affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take New Braunfels, for instance, where the median home price falls 32.4% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 25.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with New Braunfels flaunting a median household income of $105,281, 29.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in New Braunfels?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In New Braunfels, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In New Braunfels, the transportation index stands at 3.9% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In New Braunfels, the housing index is 30.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The New Braunfels cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in New Braunfels is 14% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in New Braunfels is 8% higher than the national average
  • New Braunfels housing is 30% higher than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around New Braunfels

See all the best places to live around New Braunfels

Compare New Braunfels, TX Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in New Braunfels?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in New Braunfels?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all New Braunfels poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$130,699$10,892$3,049$3,921
      Renters$72,935$6,078$1,702$2,188
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in New Braunfels, TX, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In New Braunfels, the median monthly income is $130,699 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,049 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $72,935, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,702 on monthly rental expenses.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Marion, TX9198911.2%
      Redwood, TX3,4198811.7%
      Seguin, TX30,071946.2%
      Lake Dunlap, TX1,592964.5%
      McQueeney, TX3,003973.4%
      New Braunfels, TX86,3741087.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Merced, CA86,38312121.5%
      Trenton, NJ86,528991.0%
      Whittier, CA86,61316565.0%
      Santa Fe, NM86,64811111.1%
      Mission, TX86,021919.0%
      New Braunfels, TX86,3741087.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.