Schertz consistently punches above its weight on cost of living — a community with a $99,948 median household income, SCUCISD’s 8/10 school district, Guadalupe County’s lower property tax rate, and a cost of living index 4.4 percentage points below the national average, all within 15–25 minutes of JBSA-Randolph and 20–30 minutes of downtown San Antonio. For buyers comparing Schertz against other northeast corridor communities or evaluating it against where they’re relocating from, understanding the full cost picture — not just the home purchase price — determines whether the monthly budget actually works. This guide breaks down what it actually costs to live in Schertz across every major expense category.
Brock Bremmer | Real Estate Agent | eXp Realty | San Antonio Metro Area
Also see: Living in Schertz | How to Buy a Home in Schertz | Schertz vs Cibolo
Schertz Cost of Living at a Glance
| Overall cost of living index | 4.4% below national average (City of Schertz, JobsEQ 2024Q1) |
| Median household income | $99,948 (Census ACS 2020–2024) |
| Median home value | $314,685–$400,000 depending on source and vintage |
| Median rent (2BR) | $1,300–$1,671/month |
| Property tax rate | ~1.8%–2.0% (Guadalupe County, most addresses) — some Bexar County addresses higher |
| Sales tax rate | 8.25% (6.25% state + 2% local) |
| State income tax | None — Texas has no state income tax |
| Average electricity | ~15.87¢ per kWh — $180–$280/month typical for 2,000–2,500 sq ft home |
| Gas price | ~$2.98/gallon (AAA, early 2026) |
| Groceries vs national avg | Slightly below national average |
| Healthcare vs national avg | Near national average — strong access to SA Medical Center |
| Homeownership rate | 72% — stable, family-oriented community |
| HOA fees | $50–$400/month — 31 registered HOAs in the community |
Housing Costs — The Biggest Variable
Housing is the dominant cost of living factor in Schertz — and understanding it requires separating purchase price from true monthly cost of ownership.
Purchase prices (2026)
- Entry-level resale (older sections, 3BR): $280,000–$330,000
- Mid-range resale (established neighborhoods, 3–4BR): $330,000–$420,000
- New construction (The Crossvine, Rhine Valley): $350,000–$550,000+
- Premium (larger lots, luxury finishes): $550,000+
Monthly ownership cost on a $380,000 Schertz home (10% down, 6.5% rate)
- Principal and interest: ~$2,402/month
- Guadalupe County property taxes (~1.9%): ~$601/month
- Homeowner’s insurance: ~$150–$200/month
- HOA (if applicable): $50–$200/month depending on community
- Total estimated monthly cost: ~$3,203–$3,403/month
The Guadalupe County tax advantage
Most Schertz addresses fall in Guadalupe County — with an effective property tax rate of approximately 1.8%–2.0% versus Bexar County’s 2.2%–2.7%. On a $380,000 home that’s approximately $6,840–$7,600 annually in Guadalupe County versus $8,360–$10,260 in Bexar County — a difference of $1,520–$2,660 annually ($127–$222/month). Over 10 years, Schertz’s Guadalupe County location saves buyers $15,200–$26,600 in property taxes versus a comparable Bexar County purchase.
Critical note: Some eastern Schertz addresses fall in Bexar County — verify your specific address with Guadalupe County Appraisal District at gcad.org before calculating tax-based monthly costs. Some developments also carry MUD or PID assessments that add to the combined rate. Always verify the complete tax entity stack for any specific property.
See our complete San Antonio property tax guide for the full county comparison.
Rental Costs
For buyers not yet ready to purchase or evaluating rental-to-own timelines:
- 1-bedroom apartment: $1,100–$1,400/month
- 2-bedroom apartment: $1,300–$1,671/month
- 3-bedroom single-family rental: $1,800–$2,200/month
Schertz’s 72% homeownership rate reflects a community where most residents are owners — single-family rental inventory is limited and turnover is lower than in communities with more transient populations. Military families on shorter PCS timelines sometimes find rental inventory tight during the peak May–August PCS season.
Utilities
Texas summers are real — and Schertz’s utility costs reflect them:
- Electricity: ~15.87¢ per kWh. Monthly costs for a 2,000–2,500 sq ft home run approximately $180–$280 on average — with May through October pushing toward the higher end as air conditioning runs continuously. Newer construction with better insulation and energy-efficient HVAC runs meaningfully lower than 1990s–2000s resale
- Water/sewer: Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation (SSLGC) handles water for many Schertz addresses. Monthly water and sewer typically runs $60–$100 for a single-family home depending on usage
- Gas: Natural gas for heating and appliances — $30–$80/month depending on season and usage. Schertz winters are mild — heating costs are significantly lower than most of the country
- Trash/recycling: Typically $25–$40/month through city or HOA depending on your specific community
- Internet: $60–$100/month for cable or fiber service — multiple providers serve Schertz including Spectrum and AT&T fiber in most sections
- Total monthly utilities estimate: $355–$620/month depending on home size, vintage, and season
Groceries and Daily Expenses
Schertz’s retail corridor along FM 3009 and the broader northeast SA corridor gives residents practical access to a full range of grocery and daily service options:
- Groceries: Slightly below national average. H-E-B (Texas’s beloved homegrown grocer) anchors Schertz’s grocery market — consistently competitive on pricing versus national chains. H-E-B Schertz and the broader FM 3009 corridor serve most residents without a San Antonio drive
- Dining: Mix of chain and local options along the FM 3009 corridor. Full-service restaurants $12–$25 per person. The Forum at Olympia Pkwy — one of Texas’s largest retail and dining corridors — is approximately 10–15 minutes from most Schertz addresses
- Gas: ~$2.98/gallon (AAA, early 2026). Texas’s historically lower fuel prices combined with Schertz’s suburban positioning make transportation costs manageable for most households
- Sales tax: 8.25% combined state and local rate applies to most purchases. No state income tax — meaningful for residents comparing Texas to California, Colorado, Washington, or other income-tax states
Transportation
Schertz is car-dependent — there is no meaningful public transit serving suburban Schertz. Monthly transportation budget for a typical Schertz household:
- Two-vehicle household: $700–$1,000/month (fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration)
- Single-vehicle: $350–$500/month
- Average commute to Randolph AFB: 15–25 minutes. Downtown SA: 25–35 minutes. New Braunfels: 15–20 minutes
Schertz’s northeast corridor positioning makes it practical for Randolph families but adds commute time and fuel cost for downtown SA and Lackland families. Factor your specific commute route and frequency into your transportation budget calculation.
Healthcare
Schertz’s healthcare cost index runs near the national average. Practical healthcare access is strong — Christus Santa Rosa, Methodist, and Baptist system facilities are within 20–30 minutes, and the South Texas Medical Center (one of the largest medical complexes in the country) is approximately 30–40 minutes via I-10/Loop 410. JBSA families accessing Wilford Hall or Brooke Army Medical Center have familiar drive times from Schertz.
Schertz vs San Antonio — Cost Comparison
| Category | Schertz | San Antonio (city) |
| Overall cost of living index | ~100 (at or near national avg) | ~88.6 (below national avg) |
| Median home price | ~$314,685–$400,000 | ~$219,700–$260,000 |
| Median rent (2BR) | ~$1,514–$1,671/month | ~$1,195/month |
| Median household income | ~$99,948 | ~$57,000–$66,000 |
| Property tax rate | ~1.8%–2.0% (Guadalupe Co.) | ~2.2%–2.7% (Bexar Co. + City) |
| School district quality | SCUCISD 8/10 | Varies widely by zip code |
| Homeownership rate | 72% | ~50% |
San Antonio’s overall cost of living index is lower than Schertz’s — primarily because San Antonio’s median home price is significantly lower. However, Schertz delivers a substantially higher median household income ($99,948 vs ~$57,000–$66,000), a top-tier school district at 8/10 vs highly variable quality across San Antonio zip codes, a lower property tax rate in Guadalupe County, and a 72% homeownership rate that produces a more stable, invested community. The cost of living comparison favors San Antonio in raw index terms — the quality-adjusted comparison often favors Schertz for families who have specifically targeted SCUCISD and Guadalupe County’s tax rate.
What Does It Cost to Live Comfortably in Schertz?
For a family of four owning a $380,000 home in Schertz:
- Housing (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA): ~$3,200–$3,400/month
- Utilities: ~$355–$620/month
- Groceries: ~$800–$1,100/month
- Transportation (2 vehicles): ~$700–$1,000/month
- Healthcare (insurance + out-of-pocket): ~$400–$800/month
- Miscellaneous (dining, entertainment, clothing): ~$500–$800/month
- Total estimated monthly: ~$5,955–$7,720/month
- Suggested annual gross income for comfort: ~$85,000–$110,000+
Schertz’s $99,948 median household income aligns well with this range — the community is priced for the households that live there, which is a strong indicator of sustainable market demand.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cost of Living in Schertz
Is Schertz affordable?
Yes — relative to its quality of life profile. Schertz’s cost of living index is 4.4% below the national average, its $99,948 median household income is well above the Texas average, and its SCUCISD school district and Guadalupe County property tax rate deliver top-tier outcomes at lower ongoing costs than comparable Bexar County communities. Home prices are higher than inner San Antonio but deliver better school districts, newer construction, and stronger community infrastructure. For families targeting SCUCISD and northeast corridor access, Schertz represents strong value.
How do Schertz property taxes compare to San Antonio?
Most Schertz addresses fall in Guadalupe County at approximately 1.8%–2.0% effective rate — lower than Bexar County’s 2.2%–2.7%. On a $380,000 home, that’s approximately $6,840–$7,600 in Guadalupe County versus $8,360–$10,260 in Bexar County — $1,520–$2,660 less annually. Verify your specific Schertz address’s county at gcad.org — some eastern Schertz addresses fall in Bexar County. See our San Antonio property tax guide.
What are typical monthly costs for a homeowner in Schertz?
On a $380,000 home with 10% down at 6.5%: approximately $3,200–$3,400/month for housing (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA) plus $355–$620 for utilities, $800–$1,100 for groceries, and $700–$1,000 for transportation. Total monthly budget for a family of four: approximately $5,955–$7,720 before healthcare and miscellaneous. Schertz’s $99,948 median household income aligns well with this budget range.
Does Texas state income tax affect Schertz residents?
No — Texas has no state income tax. Schertz residents pay federal income tax but retain their full state-level income, which meaningfully increases take-home pay versus residents of California, Colorado, Washington, Illinois, and other income-tax states. For relocating buyers from high-income-tax states, the Texas no-state-income-tax benefit often offsets a meaningful portion of the property tax rate comparison.
Ready to Buy in Schertz?
Brock Bremmer with eXp Realty helps buyers understand the full cost picture in Schertz — not just the purchase price — so your monthly budget works from day one.
- 📞 Call or text: 210-501-5088
- 📧 Email: [email protected]
- 🌐 Website: brockbremmer.com
- 📅 Schedule a free consultation
Also see: Living in Schertz | How to Buy in Schertz | Schertz vs Cibolo | Cost of Living in San Antonio | Property Taxes in SA