Town in Karnes County

Living in Karnes City, TX

B

250th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 66 of 100

Karnes City earns a grade of B on our index, 250th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and internet access. It is a strong pick for young professionals and retirees.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for retirees
  • Errands close by
  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Schools scores low (18 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (4 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Karnes City isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthKarnes City
Where Karnes City is in Texas.
Population
3,540-1.5% since 2020
Median rent
$66153% lower than Texas
Median home value
$93,40067% lower than Texas
Household income
$55,354Median
Average commute
19 minOne way
Violent crime
55Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Karnes City

Karnes City is a town in Karnes County. 3,540 people lived here in 2025, down 1.5% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Karnes City Park, Karnes City Aquatic Center and Karnes City Public Library.

The median age is 35.4, 44% of households have children, 70% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $55,354 a year (29% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Karnes City

  • Low violent crime. 55 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 86% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $661, 53% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.7 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 19 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Plenty close to home. 2 grocery stores, 15 restaurants and 2 parks are mapped in town.

Cons of living in Karnes City

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 25% of the 4 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Higher poverty. 30% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Many adults uninsured. 29% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 130 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Karnes City suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 25% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 86% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 57% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 29% lower than the Texas median, with 15 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 29% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 86% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 74% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $661 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 45% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $661 is 53% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 75% for people on a budget.

Karnes City report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Karnes City 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 A-

    Median rent $661, homes cost 1.7x income.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $55,354, 1.8% unemployed.

    33 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    4 rated campuses, 25% rated A or B.

    18 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B+

    55 violent crimes per 100k, 303 property crimes per 100k.

    79 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade A-

    2 grocery stores, 15 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    87 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A

    Average commute 19 min, 0.4% work from home.

    88 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    9.9% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    29% of adults uninsured.

    13 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    70% of homes owner-occupied.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    74% of homes have broadband.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

Where Karnes City stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.7x53% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $66153% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 19 min30% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.9%24 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 74%17 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • People below the poverty line: 30%16 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Karnes City

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Karnes City is $661 a month, 53% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $26,000 a year. Right now 59% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $872 for a one-bedroom, $1,143 for a two-bedroom and $1,393 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 $93,400, 67% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $511 before tax, or $605 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

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 Karnes City pays $1,120 a year, 74% 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 Karnes CityStudio$8191 bedroom$8722 bedrooms$1,1433 bedrooms$1,3934 bedrooms$1,683
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Karnes County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent53% lower than Texas$661$1,403$1,413
Median home value67% lower than Texas$93,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income53% lower than Texas1.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent7 points higher than Texas59%52%51%
Median property tax per year74% lower than Texas$1,120$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points higher than Texas70%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$605
Mortgage payment
$511
Property tax
$93
Median rent, for comparison
$661

Based on a $93,400 home in Karnes City, 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 Karnes City safe?

In 2025, Karnes City Police Department reported 2 violent crimes and 11 property crimes. That works out to 55 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 86% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 303 property crimes per 100,000, 85% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 86% 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 in Karnes City by yearTexas5520212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
55
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
303
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Karnes City by yearTexas30320212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Karnes City Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Karnes City

Karnes City has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 25% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Karnes City 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
18
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
73
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

  • BKarnes City High SchoolHigh, Karnes City ISD81 of 100
  • CKarnes City Junior HighMiddle, Karnes City ISD74 of 100
  • DKarnes City ElementaryElementary, Karnes City ISD69 of 100
  • DKarnes City PriElementary, Karnes City ISD69 of 100

Daily life in Karnes City

Everyday places mapped inside Karnes City, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Karnes City Park, Karnes City Aquatic Center, Karnes City Public Library.

The average one-way commute is 19 minutes, 30% shorter than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. 4.5% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $55,354, income per person is $22,909, unemployment is 1.8% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
15
Cafes
3
Bars
1
Parks
2
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income29% lower than Texas$55,354$78,476$80,734
Income per person44% lower than Texas$22,909$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas1.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line16 points higher than Texas30%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher24 points lower than Texas9.9%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher12 points lower than Texas74%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance9 points higher than Texas29%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet17 points lower than Texas74%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute30% lower than Texas19 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.4%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.6%
Workers who bike3.9%

Who lives in Karnes City

Under 1825%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6442%
65 and over9.2%

Median age 35.4 years. 44% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White23%
Hispanic or Latino69%
Black4.6%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.5%

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

Weather in Karnes City

Karnes City has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 130 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 32 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Karnes City30°50°70°90°65J69F76M82A88M94J96J98A92S84O74N66DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Floresville, 24 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 very high, 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
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • Strong windVery high

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 Karnes City

Nearby, Kenedy gets a B-, Runge gets a D- and Poth 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.

  1. B-KenedyTown, 3,430 people6 mi
  2. D-RungeTown, 1,108 people11 mi
  3. APothTown, 1,532 people17 mi
  4. DFloresvilleTown, 8,007 people24 mi
  5. C-StockdaleTown, 1,377 people25 mi
  6. CYorktownTown, 1,720 people25 mi

Living in Karnes City: common questions

Is Karnes City, TX a good place to live?

Karnes City earns a grade of B on our index, 250th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and internet access. It is a strong pick for young professionals and retirees.

How much does it cost to live in Karnes City?

Median rent in Karnes City is $661 a month, 53% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $93,400, 67% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.7x 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 $605, including property tax.

Is Karnes City safe?

In 2025, Karnes City Police Department reported 55 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 86% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 303 per 100,000, 85% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Karnes City?

We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Karnes City. 25% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 18 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Karnes City flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Karnes City as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, 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 Karnes City?

Summers in Karnes City peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 130 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 32 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Karnes City?

The average one-way commute is 19 min, 30% lower than the Texas average. About 0.4% of workers work from home.

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.