7 Best Places to Live in Texas Hill Country – Top Small Towns & Big Cities
We found the best places to live in Texas Hill Country so that you can enjoy the scenic landscapes, calm rivers, and charming small towns of this region.
The laid-back environment of the Texas Hill Country invites everyone to truly disconnect from the rest of the world and enjoy the majestic moments that are produced within its rolling countryside.
It has become a popular area for people to relocate to, so we wanted to determine the best Texas Hill Country towns and cities so that you understand where to move to next.
We made sure to find places to live of every size, ranging from the top urban centers in the region to the best small towns to live in Texas Hill Country.
Best Places to Live in Texas Hill Country – Our Methodology
The Texas Hill Country is loosely defined as the mid-southwestern area of Texas that is west of Austin and north of San Antonio. Some people exclude these large cities from the Hill Country, but we included them in our list to give you some options for big urban centers.
Once we located towns and cities in this area, we rated them on several key factors, including:
- Amenities and things to do
- Livability factor
- Total cost of living
- Housing options
- Education
- Safety
- Cultural experiences
Then, we added up the scores and came up with the best small towns to live in Texas Hill Country (with a maximum population of 20,000 people) and the best places to live in Texas Hill Country (with a population over 50,000 people).
Best Texas Hill Country Towns – Population of 20,000 or Less
4. Llano
Population: 3,497
Cost of Living Index: 14.1% Below Texas Average
Median Home Price: $163,520
Location: Check on Google Maps
Llano starts off our list of the best Texas Hill Country towns. It is a small and safe community that is rich in natural beauty and filled with welcoming people.
Austin is just 1 hour and 30 minutes away while Buchanan Lake is only 20 minutes away as well. Additionally, Llano is within driving distance to the beautiful Marble Falls.
Llano has a lot to offer, including high-quality schools with top notch sports programs and offers a great opportunity to grow a family.
The city offers many water activities to take part in, including fishing, swimming, and water sports right on Llano River Lake.
Meanwhile, there are lots of events and activities to do around Llano, such as barbecues, concerts, golfing, and the rodeo, which helps the city retain part of its historic charm.
3. Wimberley
Population: 3,232
Cost of Living Index: 16.3% Above Texas Average
Median Home Price: $655,466
Location: Check on Google Maps
Wimberley is a small town that is located about 45 minutes southwest of Austin. It is a great place to move to if you want to live close to nature and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of a small town.
The residents of Wimberley will make you feel welcomed and part of the community. Its country vibes really set it apart from the larger cities around the area and it is one of the best small towns to live in Texas Hill Country.
But, you should move soon as there have been influxes from larger cities like Dallas and Houston that have been driving up home values here.
2. Boerne
Population: 18,232
Cost of Living Index: 10.9% Above Texas Average
Median Home Price: $506,213
Location: Check on Google Maps
Boerne is one of the best Texas Hill Country Towns located near San Antonio as it is about 45 minutes from San Antonio.
The town of Boerne is quite small and is filled with history. Additionally, it is safe and friendly and gives its residents a good sense of community.
Boerne is also a great place for outdoor lovers as it is surrounded by stunning beauty and provides ample hiking and biking trails.
There are also plenty of green spaces around town, such as the expansive Boerne City Lake Park and the River Road Park found in the middle of the city.
1. Fredericksburg
Population: 11,496
Cost of Living Index: 14.1% Above Texas Average
Median Home Price: $454,272
Location: Check on Google Maps
Fredericksburg, Texas is located about halfway between San Antonio and Austin and is one of the best Texas Hill Country towns for those who want the ability to access both of those big cities.
Its picturesque Main Street in its historic downtown district adds to the scenic nature of the town.
It is also where you will find festivals and live music throughout the year.
Fredericksburg, Texas also features many wineries, where you can taste the best wines that the Hill Country has to offer.
Best Texas Hill Country Cities – Population of 50,000+
3. San Antonio
Population: 1,547,253
Cost of Living Index: 4.3% Below Texas Average
Median Home Price: $276,049
Location: Check on Google Maps
San Antonio is the biggest city on this list of the best places to live in Texas Hill Country and is where you would want to move to if you are looking for a lively urban center.
San Antonio’s rich history is still found around the city and in its culture even today. Additionally, it is quite an affordable place to live, especially for a big city. The cost to live is just 5% above the Texas state average, while the average price of a home here is still less than $300,000.
Meanwhile, there are so many things to do around the city. Highlights include the vibrant San Antonio RiverWalk district, San Antonio Botanical Garden, and The Alamo.
2. Austin
Population: 978,908
Cost of Living Index: 18.5% Above Texas Average
Median Home Price: $639,839
Location: Check on Google Maps
Austin is where all the hip and cool people have been moving to lately. This multicultural city is filled with indoor and outdoor activities, museums, and live music.
Meanwhile, it has become the tech hub of the South and offers numerous high-paying job opportunities from big names like Dell, Oracle, and Tesla.
Austin is also a great place to eat. Here, it’s all about barbeque, beer, and tacos.
Don’t miss all the things to do around Austin, including The Contemporary Austin, one of the many festivals that occur throughout the year, and the Austin Craft Beer Trail.
We even named Austin the 2nd best city in the whole state. Find out which city we ranked #1 in Texas here.
1. New Braunfels
Population: 90,209
Cost of Living Index: 3.3% Above Texas Average
Median Home Price: $383,512
Location: Check on Google Maps
New Braunsfels is a suburb of San Antonio and is one of the best places to live in Texas Hill Country for those looking for a blend of city living with scenic Hill Country landscapes.
The city has a strong German heritage, which is celebrated even today during the Wurstfest festival. This multicultural city also has heavy Hispanic influences, which are also celebrated during the Dia de los Muertos festival.
Meanwhile, the city offers many excellent restaurants, shopping areas, and cafes to spend time at.
Outdoor lovers will also enjoy New Braunsfels’ close proximity to nature. You can spend time at Canyon Lake or just float on the Comal River that snakes through the city.
Best Places to Live in Texas Hill Country – Summary
We hope that this list of the best places to live in Texas Hill Country gives you a good idea of which towns and cities you may want to investigate further for your next move.
We think that they are all great places to settle, especially since the quality of life is quite high around the idyllic lands of this region.
