Town in Gillespie County

Living in Harper, TX

C

419th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 43 of 100

We give Harper a C. It ranks 419th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and internet access, and trails on cost of living and getting around.

  • Pricey
  • Cost of living scores low (1 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (9 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Harper isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthHarper
Where Harper is in Texas.
Population
1,214
Median rent
No data
Median home value
$434,60053% higher than Texas
Household income
No dataMedian
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Harper

Harper is a town in Gillespie County. About 1,214 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Places locals use include Harper Community Park and Harper Library and Resale Shop.

The median age is 34.6, 55% of households have children and 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them.

Pros of living in Harper

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.

Cons of living in Harper

No clear weak spots in our data.

Who Harper suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 22% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 95% of homes have broadband. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for people on a budget.

Harper report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Harper 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 F

    Not enough data.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    0% unemployed.

    76 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B+

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    79 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: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 4 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 29 min, 20% work from home.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C-

    26% have a bachelor’s degree.

    34 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C+

    12% of adults uninsured.

    51 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    74% of homes owner-occupied.

    21 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B+

    95% of homes have broadband.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

Where Harper stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 74%11 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 12%8 points lower than Texas (20%)
  • Unemployment rate: 0%5 points lower than Texas (5.3%)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 90%38 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Vacant homes: 28%19 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 26%8 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Harper

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,216 for a one-bedroom, $1,591 for a two-bedroom and $1,896 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 $434,600, 53% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,379 before tax, or $2,575 with property tax.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Harper pays $2,355 a year, 44% 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

Fair market rent by bedroom count in HarperStudio$1,2091 bedroom$1,2162 bedrooms$1,5913 bedrooms$1,8964 bedrooms$2,292
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Gillespie County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median home value53% higher than Texas$434,600$283,800$332,700
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent38 points higher than Texas90%52%51%
Median property tax per year44% lower than Texas$2,355$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them11 points higher than Texas74%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199119921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,575
Mortgage payment
$2,379
Property tax
$196

Based on a $434,600 home in Harper, 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 Harper

Harper has 3 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 Harper ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Harper Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 87 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

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
79
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
87
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

  • AHarper ElementaryElementary, Harper ISD96 of 100
  • BHarper High SchoolHigh, Harper ISD83 of 100
  • BHarper MiddleMiddle, Harper ISD81 of 100

Daily life in Harper

Everyday places mapped inside Harper, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Harper Community Park, Harper Library and Resale Shop.

The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 7% longer than the Texas average. 20% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Fredericksburg is about 22 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Harper work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
4
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
1
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Income per person12% lower than Texas$35,876$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas13%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher8 points lower than Texas26%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points lower than Texas82%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance8 points lower than Texas12%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas95%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute7% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points higher than Texas20%14%15%
Workers who work from home20%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Harper

Under 1830%
18 to 3422%
35 to 6431%
65 and over18%

Median age 34.6 years. 55% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White59%
Hispanic or Latino29%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race11%

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

Weather in Harper

Harper has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 86 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 28 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Harper30°50°70°90°60J64F70M77A83M89J92J93A87S79O68N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Harper 3ene, 2 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Harper

    Nearby, Ingram gets a D+, Kerrville gets a B and Fredericksburg 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. D+IngramTown, 1,917 people15 mi
    2. BKerrvilleSmall city, 24,755 people20 mi
    3. B+FredericksburgSmall city, 11,419 people22 mi
    4. A-Center PointTown, 1,733 people28 mi
    5. AComfortTown, 1,565 people30 mi
    6. AMasonTown, 1,999 people31 mi

    Living in Harper: common questions

    Is Harper, TX a good place to live?

    We give Harper a C. It ranks 419th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and internet access, and trails on cost of living and getting around.

    How much does it cost to live in Harper?

    The median home is worth $434,600, 53% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $2,575, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Harper?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Harper. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 79 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Harper?

    Summers in Harper peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 86 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 28 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Harper?

    The average one-way commute is 29 min, 7% higher than the Texas average. About 20% of workers work from home. It is about 22 miles from downtown Fredericksburg.

    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.