Comal County Property Tax Rate: 2025 Rates by Taxing Entity
Comal ISD's tax rate has dropped 41% since 2004 -- from $1.83 to $1.07 per $100 -- driven by explosive residential growth that expanded the tax base faster than spending grew. That long-term decline helps keep the typical New Braunfels homeowner's combined rate at approximately 1.79% of taxable value, or $1.79 per $100, spread across Comal ISD, the City of New Braunfels, Comal County, and the Comal County Lateral Road district.
A Comal County homeowner in New Braunfels with a home valued at $400,000 -- near the county median -- pays approximately $7,155 per year in total property taxes before exemptions.
Comal County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2025)
Your Comal County property tax bill is the sum of taxes levied by every taxing entity that covers your property. Here are the current adopted rates for the major entities serving a typical City of New Braunfels homeowner:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $400,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comal ISD | $1.0748 | $4,299 | 60% |
| City of New Braunfels | $0.4089 | $1,636 | 23% |
| Comal County | $0.2690 | $1,076 | 15% |
| Comal Lateral Road | $0.0360 | $144 | 2% |
| Total (Typical) | ~$1.79 | ~$7,155 | 100% |
Important: Your exact rate depends on where you live in Comal County. Homeowners in unincorporated areas don't pay city taxes, which significantly lowers their total rate. Properties in newer developments with MUDs pay additional taxes. Homeowners in New Braunfels ISD territory pay a slightly lower school rate ($1.0377) than those in Comal ISD ($1.0748).
Comal ISD: The Largest Share
Comal ISD accounts for roughly 60% of a typical New Braunfels homeowner's property tax bill. The tax year 2025 rate of $1.0748 per $100 is a decrease of $0.0121 from the prior year. The rate includes $0.7248 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.3500 for debt service (I&S).
Comal ISD's rate has declined steadily over the past two decades, from $1.83 in 2004 to $1.39 in 2014 to $1.07 in 2025 -- a 41% reduction driven by explosive growth in the county's taxable property values. In 2023, voters approved a $450 million bond for new schools and facility improvements, but the I&S rate has remained at $0.35.
New Braunfels ISD
New Braunfels ISD serves a smaller portion of the county with a total rate of $1.0377 per $100 (M&O $0.6969, I&S $0.3408). The rate is unchanged from the prior year.
On a $400,000 home, a New Braunfels ISD homeowner pays roughly $148 less per year in school taxes compared to a Comal ISD homeowner.
How Comal County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Comal County's total property tax rate is among the lowest of any major Texas county:
| County / City | Approximate Total Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Collin County (Plano) | ~1.71% | $500,000 |
| Williamson County (Round Rock) | ~1.68% | $420,000 |
| Comal County (New Braunfels) | ~1.79% | $400,000 |
| Travis County (Austin) | ~1.80% | $525,000 |
| Hays County (Kyle) | ~2.15% | $370,000 |
Comal County's rate is competitive with the Austin suburbs and lower than neighboring Hays County. Homeowners in unincorporated Comal County with New Braunfels ISD pay as little as ~1.34%, one of the lowest total rates in the I-35 corridor.
How Comal County Property Tax Rates Have Changed
Comal County has benefited from sustained property value growth that has allowed rate reductions:
| Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Property values surged; county maintained low rates |
| 2023 | Comal ISD $450M bond approved; county adopted no-new-revenue rate of $0.264 |
| 2024 | County rate $0.264; Comal ISD rate $1.0869; values continued rising |
| 2025 | County rate $0.269; Comal ISD decreased to $1.0748; homestead exemption rises to $140K |
Comal ISD's rate has dropped 41% since 2004, from $1.83 to $1.0748. New Braunfels has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing cities in America, and the rapid expansion of the tax base has allowed rates to decline even as the county builds new schools and infrastructure.
What Drove Comal ISD's 41% Rate Decline
Comal ISD's rate reduction from $1.83 in 2004 to $1.07 in 2025 didn't happen because spending decreased -- it happened because the tax base grew faster than the budget. New Braunfels added more than 30,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, and each new subdivision brought additional taxable property that spread the cost of schools, roads, and services across a wider base. The district's total taxable value has more than tripled over this period, allowing it to generate more total revenue even as the rate per $100 fell steadily. The $450 million bond approved by voters in 2023 -- for new schools and facility improvements -- was structured to maintain the existing I&S rate of $0.35 rather than increase it.
San Antonio Metro Spillover and Unincorporated Areas
Comal County sits at the northern edge of the San Antonio metro, and spillover demand from San Antonio has been a major driver of home values in the county. As San Antonio-area prices have climbed, buyers have increasingly looked to New Braunfels and the surrounding unincorporated areas for relative affordability -- ironically pushing Comal County values higher in the process. Homes in unincorporated Comal County with New Braunfels ISD enjoy some of the lowest total tax rates in the I-35 corridor, at approximately 1.34%. These areas skip city taxes entirely, paying only county, school, and lateral road levies. However, the tradeoff is reduced city services -- no city-maintained roads, no city water/sewer in some areas, and reliance on ESDs or volunteer fire departments for emergency response.
How Your Comal County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
To estimate your bill, subtract your exemptions from your appraised value and multiply by each entity's rate. Here's the math for a New Braunfels homeowner with a $400,000 home and the $140,000 homestead exemption:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $400,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption (SB 4 / Prop 13) | -$140,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $260,000 |
| Comal ISD tax ($260,000 x 1.0748%) | $2,794 |
| City of New Braunfels ($400,000 x 0.4089%) | $1,636 |
| Comal County ($400,000 x 0.269%) | $1,076 |
| Comal Lateral Road ($400,000 x 0.036%) | $144 |
| Total estimated bill | $5,650 |
A few things to remember: The $140,000 school homestead exemption begins in 2026 under SB 4 (Proposition 13) and reduces only the ISD portion. The City of New Braunfels and Comal County each offer their own exemptions. Homeowners in unincorporated areas skip the city tax entirely, which is why their total rates can be as low as ~1.34%. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Comal County Property Tax Bill May Be Higher Than Expected
Even if tax rates decrease, your bill can increase for several reasons:
Rising Appraisals
The Comal Appraisal District revalues all properties annually. New Braunfels home prices were up 8% year-over-year in late 2025, meaning appraised values are likely rising as well. Even with Comal ISD's rate decrease, higher appraised values can push your bill upward.
Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
Newer developments in Comal County, particularly north of New Braunfels along the I-35 corridor, are often served by MUDs that levy additional taxes. These MUD rates are on top of all other taxes and can add $0.20 to $0.50+ per $100 to your total rate.
School District Bond Debt
Comal ISD's $450 million bond approved in 2023 funds new schools and facility improvements to keep pace with growth. While the I&S rate has held at $0.35, future bond elections could add debt service costs. New Braunfels ISD's I&S rate of $0.3408 also reflects ongoing capital needs.
How to Lower Your Comal County Property Taxes
Even in one of Texas's lower-rate counties, New Braunfels homeowners can save meaningfully through exemptions and the annual appraisal protest process.
1. File for Homestead Exemption
If you haven't filed for your homestead exemption, start there. Beginning in 2026, the school district exemption rises to $140,000 under SB 4 (Proposition 13), saving a typical Comal ISD homeowner roughly $1,505 per year in school taxes alone. The City of New Braunfels and Comal County each offer additional exemptions.
The filing deadline is April 30, and you can file up to two years late to claim missed savings.
2. Protest Your Appraised Value
New Braunfels home prices rose 8% year-over-year in late 2025, meaning the Comal Appraisal District is likely pushing values higher as well. Protesting your Comal County property tax appraisal gives you the chance to present comparable sales or condition evidence that your valuation exceeds market reality. Review your Notice of Appraised Value when it arrives in April or May and file before the deadline. Be sure to avoid common e-filing mistakes with Comal CAD.
See how Comal County compares to all 18 counties we serve in our Texas Property Tax Rates by County comparison.
Get Help With Your Comal County Property Tax Protest
With New Braunfels growing rapidly and appraisals rising, even homeowners in one of Texas's lower-rate counties can benefit from a professional review of their Comal Appraisal District valuation.
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Comal County. We handle the entire protest process -- from filing to informal hearings to ARB representation -- and you only pay if we reduce your appraised value.
No reduction, no fee.