Town in Bexar County, part of the San Antonio metro
Living in Balcones Heights, TX
705th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 5 of 100
52nd of 54 in the San Antonio area
Balcones Heights earns a grade of F on our index, 705th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and getting around, and trails on safety and health.
- Errands close by
- Pricey
- Cost of living scores low (14 of 100)
- Jobs and income scores low (5 of 100)
- Population
- 2,728-0.6% since 2020
- Median rent
- $95232% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $199,50030% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $29,375Median
- Average commute
- 25 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 1,853Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Balcones Heights
Balcones Heights sits about 2 miles from downtown San Antonio, in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro. 2,728 people lived here in 2025, down 0.6% from 2020. It is densely built.
The median age is 32.2, 30% of households have children, 14% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $29,375 a year (63% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Balcones Heights
- Lower rent. Median rent is $952, 32% lower than the Texas median.
- Plenty close to home. 2 grocery stores, 37 restaurants and 3 parks are mapped in town.
Cons of living in Balcones Heights
- Higher violent crime. 1,853 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 378% higher than the Texas rate.
- Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 6.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
- Higher poverty. 46% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Many adults uninsured. 30% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail as very high here.
Who Balcones Heights suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 378% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 63% lower than the Texas median, with 37 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 30% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 378% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $952 is 32% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $952 is 32% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for people on a budget.
Balcones Heights report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Balcones Heights with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade D-
Median rent $952, homes cost 6.8x income.
14 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade F
Median household income $29,375, 6.0% unemployed.
5 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D
Not enough data.
19 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade F
1,853 violent crimes per 100k, 11,712 property crimes per 100k.
0 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade A+
2 grocery stores, 37 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.
99 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade A-
Average commute 25 min, 5.9% work from home.
80 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D+
14% have a bachelor’s degree.
31 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade F
30% of adults uninsured.
1 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D
14% of homes owner-occupied.
18 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade D
83% of homes have broadband.
18 of 100 vs US towns
Where Balcones Heights stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $95232% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 9.7%7 points higher than Texas (2.6%)
- Average commute: 25 min7% lower than Texas (27 min)
Worse than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 14%48 points lower than Texas (63%)
- Home value to income: 6.8x88% higher than Texas (3.6x)
- People below the poverty line: 46%32 points higher than Texas (14%)
Cost of living in Balcones Heights
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Balcones Heights is $952 a month, 32% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $38,000 a year. Right now 69% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,196 for a one-bedroom, $1,441 for a two-bedroom and $1,864 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $199,500, 30% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,092 before tax, or $1,403 with property tax. That is $451 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Balcones Heights pays $3,734 a year, 12% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent32% lower than Texas | $952 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value30% lower than Texas | $199,500 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income88% higher than Texas | 6.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent17 points higher than Texas | 69% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year12% lower than Texas | $3,734 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them48 points lower than Texas | 14% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1973 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,092
- Property tax
- $311
- Median rent, for comparison
- $952
Based on a $199,500 home in Balcones Heights, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Balcones Heights safe?
In 2025, Balcones Heights Police Department reported 50 violent crimes and 316 property crimes. That works out to 1,853 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 378% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 11,712 property crimes per 100,000, 462% higher than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 28% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Balcones Heights Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Daily life in Balcones Heights
Everyday places mapped inside Balcones Heights, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Rogiers Park.
The average one-way commute is 25 minutes, 7% shorter than the Texas average. 6% of workers work from home. 9.7% walk, bike or take transit to work.
Downtown San Antonio is about 2 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Balcones Heights work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $29,375, income per person is $20,185, unemployment is 6.0% and 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income63% lower than Texas | $29,375 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person50% lower than Texas | $20,185 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 6.0% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line32 points higher than Texas | 46% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points lower than Texas | 14% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points higher than Texas | 91% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance10 points higher than Texas | 30% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas | 83% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute7% lower than Texas | 25 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas | 5.9% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Balcones Heights
Median age 32.2 years. 30% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Balcones Heights
Balcones Heights has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 40°F. There are about 112 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 34 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from San Antonio Incarnate Word, 5 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- HurricanesModerate
- TornadoesHigh
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesHigh
- WildfiresVery low
- Winter stormsLow
- Strong windVery low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Balcones Heights
Nearby, San Antonio gets a D, Castle Hills gets a B+ and Olmos Park gets an A. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- DSan AntonioCity, 1,479,835 people2 mi
- B+Castle HillsTown, 3,943 people3 mi
- AOlmos ParkTown, 2,115 people4 mi
- D-Leon ValleySmall city, 11,446 people4 mi
- A+Alamo HeightsTown, 7,492 people5 mi
- A+Shavano ParkTown, 3,670 people6 mi
Balcones Heights in the San Antonio area
How it ranks among 54 places in the metro.
- 1A+Cross Mountain3,752 people16 mito downtown
- 2A+Shavano Park3,670 people9 mito downtown
- 3A+Hollywood Park3,143 people10 mito downtown
- 49D-Sandy Oaks5,396 people21 mito downtown
- 50FLakehills6,130 people28 mito downtown
- 51FCharlotte1,466 people43 mito downtown
- 52FBalcones Heights2,715 people2 mito downtown
- 53FElmendorf2,389 people19 mito downtown
- 54FLake Medina Shores1,411 people30 mito downtown
Living in Balcones Heights: common questions
Is Balcones Heights, TX a good place to live?
Balcones Heights earns a grade of F on our index, 705th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and getting around, and trails on safety and health.
How much does it cost to live in Balcones Heights?
Median rent in Balcones Heights is $952 a month, 32% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $199,500, 30% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 6.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,403, including property tax.
Is Balcones Heights safe?
In 2025, Balcones Heights Police Department reported 1,853 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 378% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 11,712 per 100,000, 462% higher than the Texas rate.
Does Balcones Heights flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Balcones Heights as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, heat waves and hail. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Balcones Heights?
Summers in Balcones Heights peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 40°F. Expect around 112 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 34 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Balcones Heights?
The average one-way commute is 25 min, 7% lower than the Texas average. About 5.9% of workers work from home. It is about 2 miles from downtown San Antonio.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.