New Braunfels vs Seguin: which is better to live in?
New Braunfels gets B+ overall and Seguin gets D. New Braunfels comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
New Braunfels wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Seguin wins on cost of living, errands and things to do and getting around.
New Braunfels is the better pick for families, retirees and remote workers.
Side by side
| New Braunfels | Seguin | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B+ | D |
| Population | 122,492 | 41,048 |
| Growth since 2020 | +35.5% | +39.3% |
| Median rent | $1,654 | $1,187 |
| Median home value | $339,400 | $249,400 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,233 | $1,667 |
| Median household income | $86,021 | $64,861 |
| Property tax per year | $4,500 | $3,617 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 223 | 409 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,159 | 1,533 |
| Schools rated A or B | 59% | 40% |
| Average commute | 27 min | 25 min |
| Work from home | 16% | 9.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 39% | 19% |
| Median age | 37.1 years | 37.1 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 117 | 128 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Very high | Very high |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| New Braunfels | Seguin | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B- (59) | B- (62) |
| Jobs and income | B+ (77) | D+ (30) |
| Schools | B- (57) | D (19) |
| Safety | B- (57) | D+ (24) |
| Errands and things to do | C (41) | B (66) |
| Getting around | D- (13) | D+ (27) |
| Education levels | B (65) | D- (11) |
| Health | C+ (52) | D- (10) |
| Home ownership | C+ (51) | C (42) |
| Internet access | B+ (75) | D (24) |
Cost of living
Seguin is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in New Braunfels: a median of $1,654 a month, 39% higher than Seguin's $1,187.
The median home is worth $339,400 in New Braunfels and $249,400 in Seguin. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,233 a month against $1,667, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.9 times income in New Braunfels and 3.8 times in Seguin.
Commute and location
Commutes average 27 minutes in New Braunfels and 25 in Seguin.
The two are about 11 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
New Braunfels has less violent crime. New Braunfels reported 223 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Seguin reported 409 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 59% of New Braunfels's 22 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 40% of Seguin's 10.
Common questions
Is New Braunfels or Seguin better to live in?
New Braunfels grades higher overall (B+ vs D). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is New Braunfels cheaper than Seguin?
No. Seguin has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, New Braunfels or Seguin?
New Braunfels, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.