San Antonio Neighborhoods
Leon Valley,
Northwest San Antonio
An independent city on San Antonio's northwest side, along Bandera Road between Loop 410 and Loop 1604: incorporated in 1952 to keep its own government, about 10 miles from downtown and 3.5 from the Medical Center, served by Northside ISD, and about 9 driving miles from JBSA-Lackland.
Questions about Leon Valley? Call me at (919) 800-9870
Leon Valley is an independent city of about 11,500 people on 3.5 square miles along Bandera Road, between Loop 410 and Loop 1604 on San Antonio's northwest side. It's served by Northside ISD and has its own police and fire departments. Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, with a few newer subdivisions from the 1990s on. Leon Valley's average homestead taxable value for 2026 is $229,768. It's about 9 driving miles to Lackland and about 4 to the South Texas Medical Center.
Tiffany Reed, REALTOR® | MRP · Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Leon Valley · City of Leon Valley 2026 tax hearing notice · U.S. Census Bureau- From Leon Valley, Bandera Road and Loop 410 reach Lackland in about 9 driving miles without a trip through downtown, and the South Texas Medical Center is about 3.5 miles up Wurzbach Road.
- About 73% of Leon Valley's houses were built before 1980, and the median year built is 1974.
- Seven taxing units apply to a Leon Valley home, and their combined 2026 rate is $2.342124 per $100 of taxable value. The city's homestead exemption is 20% of value (at least $5,000).
- Three Northside ISD campuses are inside the city: Leon Valley Elementary, Driggers Elementary, and John Marshall High School.
- Most of the city was built out decades ago, so nearly every Leon Valley purchase is a resale. The exception is Senna, off Teal Trace, where Century Communities is building homes from about $350,000.
What makes Leon Valley
different?
Leon Valley's roots go back to the stagecoach era. Joseph Huebner, an Austrian-born settler, acquired 800 acres in the area in 1858 and built a home that served as a stagecoach stop. The modern city came together in the 1950s. On March 31, 1952, after word spread that San Antonio was preparing to annex the area, Leon Valley incorporated. It runs as a home rule city with a council-manager government and its own police department, fire department, emergency medical services, and public library.
The city covers about 3.5 square miles, and its heart is State Highway 16, better known as Bandera Road. Downtown San Antonio is about 10 miles away and the airport about 8. That location is the practical draw: Bandera Road and Loop 410 lead south toward Lackland without a trip through downtown, and the South Texas Medical Center is a short drive up Wurzbach Road.
Most of the housing went up in the 1960s and 1970s, which gives Leon Valley mature trees and neighborhoods that feel settled. It also means condition varies from house to house. A careful look at the systems, roof, foundation, and electrical matters more here than in a subdivision built in the last ten years.
Weighing northwest San Antonio for a Lackland or Medical Center commute?
The free San Antonio Relocation Guide explains cost of living, how to research school districts, and the neighborhoods near each JBSA installation, so you can see where Leon Valley fits before you tour.
Get the Free Relocation GuideIs Leon Valley a good fit for you?
Leon Valley is a good fit if you want:
- Lackland within about 9 driving miles of City Hall, with a route that skips downtown
- The South Texas Medical Center about 3.5 miles away and downtown about 10
- Northside ISD, with two elementary schools and a high school inside the city
- An established 1960s or 1970s home with mature trees, and you're willing to check renovation quality carefully
- A close-in location inside Loop 1604, with Bandera Road shopping close to home
- A small city with its own police, fire, library, and parks
Which neighborhoods should you know
in Leon Valley?
Many Leon Valley neighborhoods don't carry the branded names of master-planned communities. The practical differences come down to when the street was built, how close it is to Bandera Road, and how close it is to the city's parks and natural areas.
The original 1960s and 1970s streets
Most of the city, including streets like Forest Grove, Canterfield Road, and Cherryleaf Street, was built between the mid-1960s and the late 1970s. Lots typically run about a fifth of an acre. These streets offer mature trees and established blocks, and they reward a buyer who reads the renovation history closely.
Seneca Estates and the newer subdivisions
Seneca Estates, off Grass Hill Drive, was built from the mid-1980s into the 2010s. A handful of newer subdivisions filled remaining land: Pavona Place in the late 1990s, Shadow Mist from 2005 to 2016, and The Ridge at Leon Valley from 2007 to 2012, the last two on smaller lots of about an eighth of an acre. They're the main options for a newer house in Leon Valley.
Near the parks and natural area
Homes near Raymond Rimkus Park and the Huebner-Onion Natural Area put trails, ball fields, pavilions, and city events within walking distance. If outdoor space is part of your daily routine, ask how close a listing is to the park.
How much do homes cost
in Leon Valley?
Leon Valley's average homestead taxable value for 2026 is $229,768, about the same as the $230,620 of 2025. Read it as a tax value, not a sale price: Texas limits how quickly a homestead's taxable value can climb, so the figure can sit below today's market. For current asking and sold prices, look further down this page, where I've included live Leon Valley listings and recent sales that update on their own.
In a city where most homes are 45 years old or more, renovation level and condition make a big difference in price. Get pre-approved before your first tour so you can move quickly on a well-kept house.
How much are property taxes in Leon Valley?
Seven taxing units bill a typical Leon Valley home. Combined, their 2026 rates are $2.342124 per $100 of taxable value: before exemptions, that's about $2,342 on every $100,000.
| Taxing unit | 2026 rate per $100 | General homestead exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Northside ISD | $1.034900 | $140,000 (plus $73,330 if 65 or older or disabled) |
| City of Leon Valley | $0.545040 | 20% (at least $5,000); $50,000 more if 65 or older or disabled |
| Bexar County | $0.285963 | 20% (at least $5,000) |
| University Health (Bexar County Hospital District) | $0.276235 | 20% (at least $5,000) |
| Alamo Community College District | $0.166650 | 1% (at least $5,000) |
| San Antonio River Authority | $0.019300 | 4% (at least $5,000) |
| Bexar County Road and Flood | $0.014036 | $3,000 and 20% |
| Combined 2026 rate | $2.342124 | Exemptions differ by unit |
Because the city's 20% exemption applies on top of the school district's $140,000, a homestead's taxable value can be quite different from line to line on the bill. To check the units for a particular home, look up the address at bcad.org (Bexar Appraisal District).
Once you've moved in, Bexar Appraisal District takes your homestead exemption application; the regular cutoff is April 30. Buying after January 1 still works for that year: the exemption covers the months after your purchase if the seller didn't have it that year. Miss the cutoff and you can still apply late, up to two years after that year's taxes become delinquent (Tax Code Section 11.431). A disabled veteran receiving 100 percent VA disability compensation tied to military service can be exempt from tax on the whole homestead.
Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Leon Valley, Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase (2026) · Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector, 2026 Official Tax Rates and Exemptions · Texas Comptroller, Form 50-114 · Bexar Appraisal District (bcad.org).
(OCT 09, 2026 - NOV 08, 2026)
Which schools serve
Leon Valley?
Northside ISD serves Leon Valley, with 97,597 students and 133 schools. Three Northside campuses sit inside the city: Leon Valley Elementary at 7111 Huebner Road, Driggers Elementary at 6901 Shadow Mist, and John Marshall High School at 8000 Lobo Lane, which also houses the district's Marshall Law and Medical Services magnet school. Pat Neff Middle School on Evers Road and Oak Hills Terrace Elementary on Cary Grant Drive are nearby, in the City of San Antonio, and Northside's central office is at 5900 Evers Road in Leon Valley.
Which campuses serve a particular home depends on its address. Northside's Boundaries and Buses page can confirm them, and the Texas Education Agency's tea.texas.gov has a report card for every campus.
Is there new construction in Leon Valley?
Not much. Leon Valley is largely built out, and its one new-build community is Senna, off Teal Trace, where Century Communities is building homes from about $350,000. The other newer subdivisions, like The Ridge at Leon Valley and Shadow Mist, were mostly finished by the mid-2010s. For more new-construction choices, look farther out: Helotes, for example, has close to 200 homes built since 2020 inside its city limits.
Before you tour Leon Valley: what to decide first
Most Leon Valley homes date from the 1970s, so start with how much house, and how much work, you want.
- Your budget. Your approval and your comfortable payment are separate numbers, and Leon Valley's own homestead exemption makes its tax picture different from nearby cities, so compare payments, not just prices.
- Northside ISD. Decide whether the campus matters, then confirm it for each address.
- Move-in ready or a project. A fresh flip and a long-term remodel can look alike in photos. Decide whether you want a home that's done or you're fine taking on projects. An independent inspection tells you which one a house really is.
- Your deal-breakers. A single story, a garage, a fenced yard for pets, a busy road behind the house: know which ones decide it for you.
- Drive time. If you know where you'll work, drive from Leon Valley to that gate or office at the hours you'd commute.
Can you use a VA loan in Leon Valley?
Yes. The VA doesn't cap the loan for a buyer with full entitlement, though the lender still sets how much you can borrow. The VA appraisal checks each home against the VA's minimum property requirements, its baseline for a safe, sound and sanitary home. On an older Leon Valley house, your own inspection gives you the full picture of its condition, VA loan or not. For the full process, see the free VA loan guide.
How far is Leon Valley
from JBSA installations?
Lackland is Leon Valley's closest installation, reached by Bandera Road and Loop 410 without going through downtown. Camp Bullis and Fort Sam Houston are each about 12 miles away, while Randolph is a long drive across the city. Miles are approximate driving distances from Leon Valley City Hall (6400 El Verde Road).
| Lackland AFB | ~9 miles to the Luke East Gate via Loop 410 and Military Drive |
| Fort Sam Houston | ~12 miles to the Walters Gate via Bandera Road, I-10, and I-35 |
| Camp Bullis | ~12 miles to the main gate via Huebner Road and I-10 |
| Brooke Army Medical Center | ~15 miles to the BAMC/I-35 Gate via I-10 and I-35 |
| JBSA-Randolph | ~24 miles to the Lindsey Gate via Loop 410, I-35, Loop 1604, and FM 78 |
For more on housing near Lackland, see the Lackland AFB housing guide and the military relocation overview.
What is daily life like
in Leon Valley?
Leon Valley runs like a small town inside a big one. Most errands happen on Bandera Road, which cuts through the middle of the city, so groceries, a car repair, or dinner are usually close by without getting on a highway. Work at the Medical Center or on the northwest side is a short drive.
The city keeps a busy calendar for its size, with holiday events, outdoor movies, and a summer festival, plus a library of its own. The trade-off is that most homes are older and the newest neighborhoods are on smaller lots, so the parks and natural area carry a lot of the outdoor space.
Parks and outdoors
- Raymond Rimkus Park, 6440 Evers Road: 27 acres with athletic fields, two playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, a jogging path, rentable pavilions, picnic areas with barbecue pits, and a community garden
- Huebner-Onion Natural Area, 6601 Bandera Road: 36 wooded acres next to Rimkus Park, with a primitive trail along Huebner Creek, the historic Huebner-Onion home, and the historic Huebner Cemetery
- Neighborhood parks: Steurenthaler-Silo Park (7510 Huebner Road), Old Mill Park (6501 Huebner Road), and The Ridge at Leon Valley Park (5740 Grass Hill Drive), each with a walking path and playscape
- Huebner Creek Greenway Trail, 5489 Shadow Mist: a hike and bike trail along the creek that links to San Antonio's greenway trail system, with a second segment planned to reach the Huebner-Onion Natural Area
Attractions and errands
- San Antonio Aquarium, 6320 Bandera Road, where you can snorkel with stingrays and meet sloths and lemurs
- SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, each about 9 miles away
- Shopping, dining, and services along Bandera Road
City events
- Fourth of July Festival and parade
- Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Concert, and Breakfast with Santa
- Movies in the Park, Jazz Fest, Earthwise Living, and the Pet Parade
Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Leon Valley Parks and Recreation · City of Leon Valley special events · City of Leon Valley history · San Antonio Aquarium
What buyers ask about
Leon Valley.
What school district is Leon Valley in?
Northside ISD. Leon Valley Elementary, Driggers Elementary, and John Marshall High School are inside the city. Northside assigns campuses by address and can confirm them, and campus report cards are posted at tea.texas.gov.
What are home prices in Leon Valley?
Leon Valley's 2026 average homestead taxable value is $229,768. That's a value for tax purposes, not a price, and condition and renovation level drive what a specific house sells for. Live Leon Valley listings and recent sales are higher on this page.
How far is Leon Valley from Lackland, and how practical is it for other bases?
Lackland is about 9 driving miles from Leon Valley City Hall by Loop 410 and Military Drive. Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis are each about 12 miles, while Randolph is about 24 miles on the far northeast side. Drive times vary by time of day, traffic, and gate. Check current conditions for your route before deciding.
How does Leon Valley compare to Helotes?
Both are small cities on the northwest side served by Northside ISD. Leon Valley is closer in, about 9 miles from Lackland and 3.5 from the Medical Center, with mostly 1960s and 1970s homes (median year built 1974). Helotes is farther out, about 17 miles from Lackland, with mostly newer homes (median 2002) and larger lots. Their 2026 average homestead taxable values are $229,768 in Leon Valley and $512,208 in Helotes. See the Helotes neighborhood guide for more.
What should I watch for when buying an older home in Leon Valley?
Most Leon Valley homes date from the 1960s and 1970s, so look closely at the age of the HVAC and roof, the electrical panel, plumbing materials, and the foundation, especially where big trees grow near the house. Ask what any renovation covered and whether it was permitted. On a VA loan, the appraiser also checks the house against the VA's minimum property requirements.
What is the property tax rate in Leon Valley?
The combined 2026 rate for a Leon Valley home is $2.342124 per $100 of taxable value, from seven taxing units, including the city's $0.545040 and Northside ISD's $1.034900. Homestead exemptions reduce the taxable value unit by unit. Look up a specific property on bcad.org.
What working with me looks like
for Leon Valley buyers.
Buying a Leon Valley home from out of state, or with a Lackland report date coming up, means a lot of decisions in a short time.
- I get answers before you walk through. I request the seller's disclosure and any past inspection reports, plus the ages of the roof, HVAC and water heater. A deal-breaker shows itself before you schedule the showing.
- You can tour from out of state. I'll walk you through on video, room by room, so you can make an offer without coming in person.
- A lender referral is just a call away, including lenders who handle VA loans every day.
- When the right Leon Valley home turns up, I write the offer and handle the negotiating.
- Next, I keep things on track. I coordinate inspections, keep the appraisal and closing steps moving, and walk the home with you before you sign.
Thinking about
Leon Valley?
Tell me your timeline and what matters most in a home, and I'll schedule tours of the Leon Valley listings you want to see. Or start on your own: view Leon Valley homes for sale.
Let's Talk About Your Next MoveTiffany Reed, REALTOR® | MRP | Real Broker LLC
(919) 800-9870 | tiffany@tiffanyreedtx.com | tiffanyreedtx.com
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