Texas Counties › Hays County
Retiring in Hays County, Texas
Major cities: San Marcos, Kyle, Buda · Population 250,000 · Data last verified 2026-06-10
See if Hays County fits your retirement — free 2-minute comparison →Thinking about retiring in San Marcos or elsewhere in Hays County? Every figure below comes straight from public government sources — no sponsored rankings, nothing bought. When you're ready, the free comparison tool weighs Hays County against all 30 major Texas counties by what matters most to you.
Taxes & Housing
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual property tax | $6,208 |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.91% |
| State income tax | 0% (Texas has none) |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.25% |
| Median home value | $325,000 |
Retired and 65+? Texas offers an over-65 homestead exemption and a school-tax freeze that can cut this bill substantially. See our Texas senior property-tax guide.
Cost of Living
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 99 |
| Housing cost index | 112 |
| Grocery cost index | 100 |
| Median household income | $78,000 |
Source: BEA RPP 2022 (Austin MSA)
Healthcare
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals in county | 3 |
| Average CMS hospital star rating | 3.9 / 5 |
| Physicians per 100,000 residents | 265 |
| Trauma center | No |
Major hospitals serving the area: CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos; Ascension Seton Hays (Kyle).
Climate
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual temperature | 68°F |
| Average humidity | 65% |
| Extreme heat days per year (95°F+) | 112 |
| Extreme weather days per year | 46 |
| Annual rainfall | 33″ |
Economy
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% |
| Average salary | $55,000 |
| Major industries | Education, Technology, Healthcare, Tourism |
Common Questions About Retiring in Hays County
Is Hays County a good place to retire?
It comes down to what you care about most. In Hays County, homeowners pay around $6,208 a year in property tax, and the cost of living lands at 99 on a scale where 100 is the U.S. average, so about the national average. Healthcare runs on 3 hospitals averaging 3.9 out of 5 on CMS ratings, led by CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos. Summers bring about 112 days above 95°F. Run the free comparison to see how Hays County stacks up against 29 other counties for your priorities.
What are property taxes for retirees in Hays County, Texas?
Hays County homeowners pay roughly $6,208 a year on average, an effective rate near 1.91%. Texas charges no state income tax, and owners 65 and older can cut the bill sharply with the over-65 homestead exemption and the school-tax freeze. See our Texas senior property-tax guide for how those breaks work.
How hot does it get in Hays County?
Hays County averages 68°F across the year, but the figure that actually matters for comfort is the roughly 112 days a year that climb above 95°F. It also sees about 33 inches of rain and 65% average humidity.