Town in Hays County, part of the Austin metro

Living in Dripping Springs, TX

B+

174th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 76 of 100
22nd of 58 in the Austin area

Dripping Springs gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 174th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living and errands and things to do.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Pricey
  • Fast-growing
  • Cost of living scores low (10 of 100)
  • Errands and things to do scores low (12 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Dripping Springs isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthDripping Springs
Where Dripping Springs is in Texas.
Population
11,167+126.5% since 2020
Median rent
$2,23459% higher than Texas
Median home value
$635,600124% higher than Texas
Household income
$109,364Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs sits about 21 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. 11,167 people lived here in 2025, up 126.5% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2013).

Places locals use include Founders Memorial Park, Charro Ranch Park and Dripping Springs Sports and Recreation Park.

The median age is 38.5, 43% of households have children, 49% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $109,364 a year (39% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Dripping Springs

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 4 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $109,364, 39% higher than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 126% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Dripping Springs

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $2,234, 59% higher than the Texas median.
  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 5.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and hail as very high here.

Who Dripping Springs suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 39% higher than the Texas median, with 68 restaurants and 9 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 58% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 9.5% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 87% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $2,234 is 59% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 8% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $2,234 is 59% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for people on a budget.

Dripping Springs report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Dripping Springs 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 $2,234, homes cost 5.8x income.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A

    Median household income $109,364, 3.4% unemployed.

    89 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    4 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    85 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade D-

    2 grocery stores, 68 restaurants, 8 parks mapped in town.

    12 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 27 min, 41% work from home.

    41 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade A

    68% have a bachelor’s degree.

    93 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade B+

    9.5% of adults uninsured.

    78 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    49% of homes owner-occupied.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C-

    87% of homes have broadband.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

Where Dripping Springs stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 68%34 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $109,36439% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 2.1%12 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 5.8x61% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $2,23459% higher than Texas ($1,403)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 49%14 points lower than Texas (63%)

Cost of living in Dripping Springs

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Dripping Springs is $2,234 a month, 59% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $89,000 a year. Right now 50% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,530 for a one-bedroom, $1,817 for a two-bedroom and $2,292 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 $635,600, 124% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $3,479 before tax, or $4,193 with property tax. That is $1,959 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 Dripping Springs pays $8,571 a year, 103% higher 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

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Dripping SpringsStudio$1,4471 bedroom$1,5302 bedrooms$1,8173 bedrooms$2,2924 bedrooms$2,689
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent59% higher than Texas$2,234$1,403$1,413
Median home value124% higher than Texas$635,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income61% higher than Texas5.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points lower than Texas50%52%51%
Median property tax per year103% higher than Texas$8,571$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them14 points lower than Texas49%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas201319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$4,193
Mortgage payment
$3,479
Property tax
$714
Median rent, for comparison
$2,234

Based on a $635,600 home in Dripping Springs, 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.

Schools in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Dripping Springs ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
85
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
89
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BDripping Springs ElementaryElementary, Dripping Springs ISD89 of 100
  • BWalnut Springs ElementaryElementary, Dripping Springs ISD89 of 100
  • BDripping Springs High SchoolHigh, Dripping Springs ISD88 of 100
  • BDripping Springs MiddleMiddle, Dripping Springs ISD88 of 100

Daily life in Dripping Springs

Everyday places mapped inside Dripping Springs, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Founders Memorial Park, Charro Ranch Park, Dripping Springs Sports and Recreation Park.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 41% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Austin is about 21 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Dripping Springs work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $109,364, income per person is $65,218, unemployment is 3.4% and 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
5
Restaurants
68
Cafes
9
Bars
11
Parks
8
Gyms
12
Hospitals and urgent care
5
Childcare
6
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income39% higher than Texas$109,364$78,476$80,734
Income per person60% higher than Texas$65,218$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.4%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points lower than Texas2.1%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher34 points higher than Texas68%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher11 points higher than Texas97%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance10 points lower than Texas9.5%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas87%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home27 points higher than Texas41%14%15%
Workers who work from home41%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Dripping Springs

Under 1832%
18 to 3415%
35 to 6437%
65 and over16%

Median age 38.5 years. 43% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White78%
Hispanic or Latino11%
Black0.6%
Asian7.4%
Other or more than one race2.9%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 106 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Dripping Springs30°50°70°90°60J65F72M79A85M91J94J95A89S80O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Dripping Springs 6 E, 4 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windHigh

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 Dripping Springs

Nearby, Belterra gets an A, Bee Cave gets an A and Shady Hollow gets a B. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. ABelterraTown, 6,978 people3 mi
  2. ABee CaveTown, 8,862 people9 mi
  3. BShady HollowTown, 5,709 people11 mi
  4. A+The HillsTown, 2,516 people11 mi
  5. ABarton CreekTown, 3,440 people12 mi
  6. ALakewaySmall city, 19,307 people12 mi

Dripping Springs in the Austin area

How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
  3. 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
  4. 19B+Hutto35,483 people21 mito downtown
  5. 20B+Serenada1,444 people28 mito downtown
  6. 21B+Liberty Hill8,371 people27 mito downtown
  7. 22B+Dripping Springs7,405 people21 mito downtown
  8. 23B+Pflugerville65,971 people14 mito downtown
  9. 24BPoint Venture1,598 people16 mito downtown
  10. 25BShady Hollow5,709 people11 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of austin

Living in Dripping Springs: common questions

Is Dripping Springs, TX a good place to live?

Dripping Springs gets an overall grade of B+ and ranks 174th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living and errands and things to do.

How much does it cost to live in Dripping Springs?

Median rent in Dripping Springs is $2,234 a month, 59% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $635,600, 124% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 5.8x 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 $4,193, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Dripping Springs?

We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Dripping Springs. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Dripping Springs flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Dripping Springs as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Dripping Springs?

Summers in Dripping Springs peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 106 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Dripping Springs?

The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 41% of workers work from home. It is about 21 miles from downtown Austin.

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.