Cost of Living in Karnes City, TX

Population 3,101 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

38
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Karnes City is a smaller Texas community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $58,601 and housing costs ($90,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Karnes City is about 55 miles southeast of San Antonio, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 59% lower than San Antonio's $220,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 30
Rent 51

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Karnes City

The median home value in Karnes City is $90,400 — 70% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $669/month, 49% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,601/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 81.8°F and lows of 60.3°F. Overall, Karnes City has a cost of living index of 38 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 62% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$90,400
70% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$244,174
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$669/mo
49% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 66.8%
Renter-occupied 33.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$669
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,283/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.2%
Carpooled
16.9%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
2.1%
Work from home
2.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$58,601
21% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,241
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
80% below avg
Poverty Rate
25.8%
Labor Force Participation
46.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.2%
Graduate degree 3.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.4
Male median age 33.8
Female median age 36.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
81.8°F
Avg Low
60.3°F
Annual Precip
29.7"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 656975828894969891847366
Low °F 424754606874757671625144
Precip" 1.791.562.432.343.883.171.782.503.153.022.012.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 7 — Good
100%
Good air days/yr
29
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Karnes City, TX?

Karnes City has a cost index of 38 (100 = national average). It is 62% below the national average.

What is average rent in Karnes City, TX?

The median gross rent in Karnes City is $669 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Karnes City?

The median home value in Karnes City is $90,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Karnes City?

The median household income in Karnes City is $58,601 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Karnes City, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Karnes City is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Karnes City, TX affordable?

Yes, Karnes City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 38 — about 62% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Karnes City?

Karnes City has average high temperatures of 81.8°F and average lows of 60.3°F. Annual precipitation is 29.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Karnes City at a Glance

Population
3,101
Median Income
$58,601
Home Value
$90,400
Median Rent
$669/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Avg High Temp
81.8°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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