The Texas Hill Country offers plenty of options for enjoying a quiet lifestyle during retirement.
A new report from TheTravel.com ranks the top spots in the region based on the cost of living, crime rate, and other subjective measures, like history and beauty. Unsurprisingly, the area makes a great place to hang up your boots. After all, Texas Hill Country was even named one of the best travel destinations in the world, according to CNN.
No.7 – New Braunfels, Comal County
New Braunfels attracts people for its natural beauty and endless water-based activities. If you’re into hiking and kayaking and do not mind the occasional tourist, New Braunfels could make an ideal retirement destination.
Cost of living: 15% below the national average.
Crime: 16.8 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.6 – Georgetown, Williamson County
If you want a beautiful and active downtown but do not want to live in a major metropolis, Georgetown is for you. This small city is lined with historic buildings and hosts an annual three-day festival that features live musical performances, local vendors, parades, and even a car show.
Cost of living: 3% below the national average.
Crime: 8.6 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.5 – Boerne, Kendall County
Named after German author Karl Ludwig Börne, this town offers a great mix of history and natural beauty. Easy access to the Methodist Boerne Medical Center means you are never far from medical care. And if you are looking to splurge in your retirement years, Boerne currently has a property listed for $4.85 million that comes with its own lazy river.
Cost of living: 17% below the national average.
Crime: 16.2 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.4 – Fredericksburg, Gillespie County
Sipping wine, birdwatching, and enjoying the state’s beautiful flora at the Wildflower Farm are just some of the many activities you can enjoy while retired in Fredericksburg. The town of less than 12,000 people boasts plenty of arts, orchards, and wineries to keep you busy all year. In 2023, it was even ranked No.1 among the 120 most picturesque small towns in the United States.
Cost of living: 8% below the national average.
Crime: 9.6 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.3 – Burnet, Burnet County
Living in Burnet gives you access to the county’s nearly 1,000 square miles of lakes and rolling hills. This region of Texas is unparalleled for fishing, boating, and camping. In town, you will have plenty of options to keep you busy, from restaurants and cafes to galleries and museums.
Cost of living: 4.6% below the national average.
Crime: 15.7 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.2 – Wimberley, Hays County
Wimberley boasts multiple hospitals, including the Ascension Texas Cardiovascular Wimberley, which focuses on treating patients with heart disease. The town offers plenty of activities, like swimming in the pristine waters of the Blue Hole Regional Park or enjoying a leisurely ride along a vintage locomotive at Pioneer Town, an 1880s-themed Western town.
Cost of living: 3% below the national average.
Crime: 13.3 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.
No.1 – Comfort, Kendall County
Comfort is the smallest retirement destination on the list, with a population just shy of 2,000 people. If you want quiet, Comfort delivers. It also boasts an impressive historic district that includes over 100 preserved buildings.
Cost of living: 17% below the national average.
Crime: 17.9 versus the U.S. average of 22.7.