← All Cities|Retiring in Texas Guide
Retirement community in Fredericksburg, Texas

Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@nhuenerfuerst)

Fredericksburg, Texas Retirement Guide

76

Retirement Score

Fredericksburg, Texas at a Glance

Median Home Price
$416,700
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
40.3°F
Cost of Living Index
98.1 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
76 / 100

Overview

"Fredericksburg, Texas is a small Hill Country retirement destination known for its German heritage, wineries, and quieter pace than Austin or San Antonio. Median home prices run around $475,000 and cost of living is about 5% above the national average. Texas has no state income tax. Hill Country Memorial Hospital is the local anchor; specialty care routes to Austin or San Antonio. The town is best for retirees who want a small-town Texas Hill Country lifestyle."

Fredericksburg sits in the Texas Hill Country roughly 75 miles west of Austin and 70 miles north of San Antonio. The town was settled by German immigrants in the 1840s and retains a distinctly Bavarian-influenced architectural character, which combines with the Texas Wine Country (290 vineyards within 30 miles), peach orchards, and rolling Hill Country topography to create one of the most picturesque retirement environments in Texas.

The financial picture is the standard Texas retirement equation: no state income tax, no estate tax, but high property tax rates (~1.7–2.0% of assessed value). On a $475,000 home, that's roughly $8,000–$9,500 annually in property tax. Cost of living slightly above national average reflects the tourism-driven local economy. The trade-off is that home prices remain notably below Austin and Hill Country premium markets.

Healthcare is the structural constraint. Hill Country Memorial Hospital (a small community hospital) handles routine care, but specialty care — cardiology, oncology, complex surgery — routes to Austin (90 min) or San Antonio (75 min). Medicare Advantage plan availability is more limited than in the major Texas metros.

Fredericksburg is best for retirees who specifically want a small Hill Country town with German heritage, wine country amenities, and a quieter pace — and are comfortable with a 75-minute drive for specialty healthcare.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
98.1 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated October 2026
Median Household Income
$56,858High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Fredericksburg's cost of living is 1.9000000000000057% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$416,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,296High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
57.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Fredericksburg using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$903

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,014

Median home price used: $416,700

Median rent reference: $1,296 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Fredericksburg, Texas after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
68.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Fredericksburg scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Fredericksburg

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Fredericksburg →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Texas has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.Read more in our detailed Texas tax guide.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
97.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
40.3°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
22"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
310 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 310 sunny days a year and an average January low of 40.3°F, Fredericksburg offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
62.7 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.7 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
11,020High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
50.7High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
31.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
9.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
37.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
88.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
0.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
20.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
0.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Fredericksburg

Is Fredericksburg, Texas a good place to retire in 2026?▾

Fredericksburg, Texas is a small Hill Country retirement destination known for its German heritage, wineries, and quieter pace than Austin or San Antonio. Median home prices run around $475,000 and cost of living is about 5% above the national average. Texas has no state income tax. Hill Country Memorial Hospital is the local anchor; specialty care routes to Austin or San Antonio. The town is best for retirees who want a small-town Texas Hill Country lifestyle.

What is the cost of living in Fredericksburg, Texas for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 98, roughly 2% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $416,700.

Does Texas tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Texas residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Fredericksburg, Texas?▾

Fredericksburg, Texas has January average low around 40°F, July average high around 98°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Fredericksburg, Texas?▾

Fredericksburg scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

How much does it cost to retire in Fredericksburg, Texas?▾

For a retired couple in a paid-off home, total monthly costs in Fredericksburg run roughly $3,434 based on the cost-of-living index of 98. This includes property taxes, utilities, healthcare premiums, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending. Renters add roughly $1,200–$1,800/month for a 2-bedroom.

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

SSB&T WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

SSB&T WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

SSB&T WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

+16 more financial advisors available

Interested in Fredericksburg? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

Compare Fredericksburg with Top Alternatives

You Might Also Like