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Castle Hills, TX homebuyer’s guide

San Antonio's "best-kept secret" offers homes in many styles and sizes.

DK

Dan Kobialka

Author

GH

Garrett Heath

Reviewer

10 min read

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Incorporated in 1951, Castle Hills is a Texas city that encompasses 2.5 miles of land. Castle Hills is centrally located in the San Antonio metropolitan area. The city has a population of more than 4,200 residents and is home to over 600 small and medium-sized businesses, including Guajillo’s The Shortcut to Mexico restaurant and the Monster Mini Golf and arcade.

Castle Hills is "San Antonio's best-kept secret," according to Mayor J.R. Trevino. The city features a wide range of homes, including mid-century and ranch-style houses. The North East Independent School District serves the Castle Hill community, boasting over 100 unique graduation plan paths and 160 bilingual program teachers. Castle Hills provides convenient access to the North Star Mall and other San Antonio shopping venues. Plus, it only takes about 15 minutes to drive from Castle Hills to downtown San Antonio.

Latest homes for sale in Castle Hills, TX

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    $215,000

    • 4 br
    • 2 ba
    • 1350 sqft
    242 Greenhill Pass, San Antonio, TX 78213
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    $249,000

    • 4 br
    • 2 ba
    • 1420 sqft
    2230 Spicewood, San Antonio, TX 78213
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    $499,000

    • 3 br
    • 2.5 ba
    • 1832 sqft
    1531 Larkspur Dr, San Antonio, TX 78213
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    $1,750,000

    • 4 br
    • 4 ba
    • 4458 sqft
    315 Fox Hall Ln, San Antonio, TX 78213
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Look & feel of Castle Hills

The Castle Hills housing market

$303k

-9%

Median Home Price

$179

3%

Median Price per Sq. Ft

15

25%

Average Monthly Home Sales

Home prices may level out soon

In July 2022, the San Antonio Board of Realtors said there was a year-over-year and month-over-month increase in home prices in Castle Hills and other parts of San Antonio. Previously, the number of homes for sale in Castle Hills and other parts of San Antonio rose from 4,725 in April 2022 to 7,244 in June 2022, and the median housing price increased from $384,977 to $401,447 during this time. While the market has remained competitive, things may be turning around for homebuyers, as some economists are predicting the area's "runaway home prices" may start to decrease over the next few months.

The median home value is high

Castle Hills' estimated median home and condo value is $342,617. This means half of the homes and condos in Castle Hills are valued above this amount. Comparatively, the estimated median home and condo value for Texas is $200,400. It's also worth noting that the median home and condo value in Castle Hills more than doubled between 2000 and 2019. This indicates home and condo values in Castle Hills have been increasing across the city over the past two decades.   

Cost of living in Castle Hills

61.6%

Rent Affordability Index

Daily living expenses are well below the national average

In Castle Hills, energy, phone, and gas prices are less than they are in other areas. Grocery prices in Castle Hills are about 6% lower than the national average. Healthcare costs are roughly 7% less in Castle Hills than they are elsewhere.  

You’ll pay less for food and groceries in Castle Hills

Food and grocery prices in Castle Hills are 6% less than the national average. A loaf of bread costs about $3.26 in Castle Hills. On average, it costs nearly $5 for a loaf of bread in most parts of the country. Castle Hills residents should have no trouble shopping around for groceries. They can visit H-E-B, Target Grocery, and other food and grocery stores close to home. 

The job market

Nearly 2,300 Castle Hills residents have jobs. Many municipality jobs are available in Castle Hills. The city updates its online job board regularly. Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) offers job placement assistance to Castle Hills residents. WSA hosts job fairs and other events to connect local job seekers and businesses. It also tracks the local job market and keeps locals up to date on career opportunities that open up in construction, IT, and other rapidly growing industries.

2%

Unemployment Rate

$129k

Average Salary per Year

Castle Hills residents enjoy convenient access to a "thriving job market"

Downtown San Antonio is easily accessible from Castle Hills. In fact, it's just minutes away by car or public transportation. The area boasts a "thriving job market" that offers career opportunities in bioscience, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Southwest Research Institute, Valero Energy, and Toyota are three of the most prominent San Antonio employers. They frequently look to add talent.

Public transportation

Services offered in Castle Hills

🚍

Bus: VIA

🔋

EV charging: Chargehub

Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations are nearby

Castle Hills features EV charging stations on San Pedro Avenue and West Rector Drive. Multiple EV charging stations are available close by at the North Star Mall. There are also 232 EV charging stations throughout San Antonio. These stations ensure Castle Hills residents can recharge their EVs when they travel to or from San Antonio for work or leisure. Most of these stations are free to use and offer level 2 charging. There are even a few level 2 EV charging stations off The Loop. 

The Line 3 bus brings you into San Antonio in minutes

Take the Line 3 bus to go to and from San Antonio and Castle Hills in under 20 minutes. The bus is a great option for Castle Hills residents who work in downtown San Antonio or want to explore the area.

Demographics

4,852

Population

58

Median Age

133,598

Family Median Income

There’s a large Hispanic population 

Hispanics represent the largest non-Caucasian racial or ethnic group in Castle Hills. Nearly 47% of Castle Hills residents identify as Hispanic. Approximately 3% of residents identify as Asian. Roughly 15% of residents are multiracial.  

Crime & safety

Unfortunately, Castle Hills’ crime rate exceeds the national average. The property crime rate in Castle Hills has been higher than the national average for over a decade. Residents typically consider the southern portion of Castle Hill to be the safest part of the city. 

The Castle Hills Police Department (CHPD) is committed to finding ways to improve the quality of life for residents. CHPD is dedicated to the professional development of police officers and other employees and follows the highest professional standards. It also follows a simple philosophy based on its Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

Neighborhood guide

Castle Hills boasts quiet, residential neighborhoods with many single-family houses. Most of the real estate in these neighborhoods was built in the early 1950s. There’s also a lot of trees and green space in Castle Hills’ neighborhoods.  

North Castle Hills - Family-friendly 

North Castle Hills runs from about Dunress Street to Tarton Lane. It is just a few minutes east of Phil Hardberger Park, a 330-acre sustainable natural urban park. Here, residents can visit dog parks, play areas, and trails for hiking, biking, and walking. They can also visit a nature center and outdoor classrooms. 

Castle Hills Forest - Attractive and well managed 

The Castle Hills Forest Homeowners Association keeps the neighborhood looking great. This association makes sure residents receive planting, mowing, and other lawn care and maintenance services. It also performs regular work on the neighborhood’s pool, tennis courts, and playground. The association even hosts late-night swims and other community events throughout the year. 

Churchill Estates - Quiet and peaceful 

Churchill Estates is a quaint community that provides seamless access to schools, shopping, and dining. The Vineyard Christian School and Child Montessori School are close by. For shopping, there’s the Shops at Churchill Estates, which has more than 33,000 square feet of retail space. Po Po Trattoria Pizzeria offers delicious Italian cuisine not too far from home. There’s also Belgian Sweets, a can’t-miss dessert shop for anyone who wants to satisfy their sweet tooth.  

Greater Harmony Hills - Eloquent and modern 

Greater Harmony Hills is a gated community where most residents share amenities. The neighborhood’s residences include bungalows, condos, and upscale apartments. They feature serene and elegant designs. Swimming is popular in Greater Harmony Hills. Most homeowners have their own swimming pool. There are also several shared swimming pools across the neighborhood. 

Lockhill Estates - Delightful dining options close by

It’s easy to enjoy a night out at a great restaurant in Lockhill Estates. Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant and Mitchell’s Sports Bar are two of the neighborhood’s top dining spots. Those who want authentic Japanese cuisine can find exactly what they’re looking for at Godai.  For a tasty burger and an ice-cold brew at a casual bar, there may be no better choice than Mitchell’s.  

Vista Del Norte - Community focused 

Vista Del Norte residents tend to go all-in on holiday celebrations. Residents host an annual Easter egg hunt. They often decorate their homes for Halloween. Around Christmas, residents make time to enjoy doughnuts with Santa Claus in the park. They even perform hayride caroling at nighttime across the neighborhood. 

3 things to know before buying a home in Castle Hills, according to locals

1. Castle Hills has a small-town feel to it

As an independent municipality, Castle Hills has its own small-town identity. Castle Hills offers lots of tree-filled spaces, creating picturesque spots for picnics and other outdoor activities. For a local dining experience, visit the Meadow Neighborhood Eatery & Bar. This Castle Hills favorite serves southern comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients. 

2. The Castle Hills Community Organization (CHCO) is open to all residents

The CHCO hosts movie nights, concerts, and other community events. Residents only need to pay $25 to join. Along with the CHCO, there’s the Castle Hills Garden Club, which offers Yard of the Month awards, collects donations for local charities, and participates in plant sales. There’s also the Castle Hills Woman’s Club, which meets the first Monday of each month from September through May.  

3. The Commons at Castle Hills brings the community together

The story of the Commons at Castle Hills dates back to June 2003, when land on Lemonwood Drive was designated a common space. After this, a walking path was set up around the perimeter. Also, benches and tolerant landscaping were put into place. These efforts helped make the Commons at Castle Hills a popular destination for community events. The Commons today are used for Castle Hills’ annual Back to School Picnic with the Mayor, Christmas Tree Lighting, and other community gatherings. 

The top 4 things to do in Castle Hills

1. Spend the day at Harberger Park

Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy offers a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Traverse one of North America’s largest land bridges, or enjoy the Skywalk, an elevated walk that allows you to peruse the park’s treetops. There’s also a dog park on site, which gives Fido plenty of room to stretch their legs. If you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, Hardberger Park is the place to be. 

2. Play a round of golf at the Olmos Basin Golf Course

The Olmos Basin Golf Course is about a 10-minute drive from Castle Hills. It is a top municipal golf course in San Antonio. Olmos Basin is designed for golfers of all skill and experience levels. The course features tree-lined fairways and reachable par 5s. There’s even an awe-inspiring creek that winds through the course.

3. Head into Downtown

In Castle Hills, you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Downtown San Antonio. Our local expert Garrett suggests exploring “the River Walk of Downtown, the shopping at the Alamo Quarry Market to the East, or La Cantera to the North, or the farmers market and nightlife available in the Pearl Brewery area.” 

4. Explore a local museum

The McNay Art Museum was Texas’ first modern art museum. It was established in 1954 and lets guests view paintings, sculptures, and other modern artwork. Or, check out the Texas Transportation Museum to learn more about the history of transportation in the Lone Star State. This museum operates a working passenger railroad. It also lets guests view model train layouts and road vehicles.

Continue exploring the San Antonio area

DK

Dan KobialkaAuthor

Dan Kobialka is a writer with over a decade of experience. He produces blog posts, landing pages, white papers, and other content for businesses as well as consumers.

GH

Garrett Heath loves San Antonio, cheese enchiladas and Fiesta. He is the personality behind SA Flavor and loves exploring all that the Alamo City has to offer.