San Antonio Neighborhoods
Terrell Hills,
adjacent to Fort Sam Houston.
An incorporated city of about 1.6 square miles, with Fort Sam Houston just across Harry Wurzbach Road on its east side. Mostly Alamo Heights ISD. 1920s through mid-century architecture. Part of the Tri-Cities with Alamo Heights and Olmos Park.
Questions about Terrell Hills? Call me at (919) 800-9870
Terrell Hills is a separate city of about 1.6 square miles, roughly 4 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, with Fort Sam Houston just across Harry Wurzbach Road to the east. Most of the city is in Alamo Heights ISD, but the streets on its east side are in North East ISD. Much of the housing dates from the 1930s through the 1960s, with newer rebuilds mixed in. The city's 2026 average homestead taxable value is $1,069,779.
Tiffany Reed, REALTOR® | MRP · Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Terrell Hills · City of Terrell Hills 2026 tax hearing notice · U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer- Fort Sam Houston begins just east of the city, across Harry Wurzbach Road. From City Hall it's about 2.5 driving miles to the Harry Wurzbach East Gate.
- Two school districts serve the city. Most addresses are in Alamo Heights ISD; the eastern streets, roughly from Tuttle, Arvin, and Crestwood east to Harry Wurzbach, are in North East ISD. The Bexar Appraisal District record for an address names its district.
- For 2026, an address in the city and AHISD pays a combined rate of $2.163251 per $100 of taxable value. The city's own share is $0.378167, with no city homestead exemption.
- Much of the housing dates from the 1930s through the 1960s, and the city is built out, so you'll be choosing among older homes and rebuilds rather than new construction.
- Terrell Hills incorporated in 1939 and won a court fight in 1945 to stay independent of San Antonio.
What is Terrell Hills,
and why does Fort Sam matter here?
Terrell Hills is its own incorporated city, with a city council, a police department, and a fire and EMS department of its own. It started small: in 1920 a group of buyers agreed to build homes within five years on a 24-acre tract that had been Terrell Farms. The area takes its name from Frederick Terrell, who promoted it as a residential addition in the late 1920s. The town incorporated in 1939, beat back a 1945 annexation by San Antonio in court, and adopted a home-rule charter in late 1957.
The founders' original tract ran from Terrell Road on the south to Garraty Road on the north, with Eldon Road on the west and, on the east, Fort Sam Houston and what is now Harry Wurzbach Road. The city has grown past those first lines, and Alamo Heights is its neighbor to the west. Today, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and the post sit just across Harry Wurzbach from the city's east side. That's why military buyers ask about Terrell Hills, and it's also why the gate matters: the Harry Wurzbach East Gate is about 2.5 driving miles from City Hall, and the Walters Gate is about 5.
The city's population grew from 1,236 in 1930 to 5,572 in 1960, so much of the housing dates from those decades. Spanish colonial houses, some by noted San Antonio architects such as Robert M. Ayres, are part of the mix. Mid-century houses and newer rebuilds fill in the rest. Terrell Hills is built out, so what's here now is mostly what you'll be choosing from.
Is Terrell Hills a good fit for you?
Terrell Hills is a good fit if you want:
- Small-city services, with a police department and a fire and EMS department of the city's own
- Fort Sam Houston just across Harry Wurzbach Road, with the Harry Wurzbach East Gate about 2.5 driving miles from City Hall and the BAMC/I-35 Gate, by Brooke Army Medical Center, about 5.5 (the full mileage table is further down)
- Alamo Heights ISD for most addresses, or North East ISD on the east side, and you're willing to confirm the district house by house
- A house from the 1930s to the 1960s on an established, tree-lined street, and you're comfortable budgeting for an older home's systems
- Broadway's restaurants and shops less than a mile west of City Hall, and downtown about 4 miles away
- A budget that fits the city's prices: the 2026 average homestead taxable value is just over $1 million
Assigned to Fort Sam Houston or BAMC and comparing the Tri-Cities?
My free San Antonio Relocation Guide puts Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights, Mahncke Park, and the other neighborhoods near Fort Sam side by side, with honest notes on prices and drives.
Get the Free Relocation GuideHow does Terrell Hills compare
with the other Tri-Cities?
Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights, and Olmos Park are three separate small cities surrounded by San Antonio, often called the Tri-Cities. Alamo Heights ISD serves all three, though not every Terrell Hills address. They look alike from the street, so the differences that matter are location, size, and which school district a given address falls in.
Terrell Hills
The easternmost of the three, about 1.6 square miles, and the one that sits right across Harry Wurzbach Road from Fort Sam Houston. City Hall is on North New Braunfels Avenue. It's also the one where the school district can change from one street to the next, since the east side is in North East ISD.
Alamo Heights (comparison)
The largest of the three at about 1.8 square miles, directly west of Terrell Hills. AHISD grew up there: its first school opened in 1909. Broadway runs through the middle of it, lined with restaurants and shops. For 2026, Alamo Heights has an average homestead taxable value of $885,505, compared with $1,069,779 in Terrell Hills. If you want that main street close by and Fort Sam isn't your assignment, compare the two. The Alamo Heights neighborhood guide covers it in full.
Olmos Park (comparison)
The smallest, about 0.6 square miles, on the west side of Alamo Heights and the farthest of the three from Fort Sam. It's also served by AHISD. If a very small, quiet city matters more to you than being next to post, see the Olmos Park neighborhood guide.
How much do homes cost
in Terrell Hills?
The best public price signal is the city's own. For 2026, the City of Terrell Hills puts the average taxable value of a homestead at $1,069,779, down about 1.9% from $1,090,723 in 2025. Keep in mind that this is an appraisal number, not what homes sold for. State law limits how fast a homestead's taxable value can rise each year, which is why the figure tends to lag what buyers actually pay. I've included live Terrell Hills listings and recent sales a little further down this page, so you can see current list prices next to what homes actually sold for.
One average covers very different houses. For any particular home, the lot, its condition, how much has been updated, and which school district the address is in all move the price.
How much are property taxes in Terrell Hills?
Seven taxing units bill a home in the City of Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights ISD, and for 2026 they come to $2.163251 per $100 of taxable value. That's roughly $2,163 a year for each $100,000 of value, before exemptions. On the east side, North East ISD replaces AHISD and the total comes to $2.115751.
| Taxing unit | 2026 rate per $100 | General homestead exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo Heights ISD | $1.022900 | $140,000 (plus $60,000 if 65 or older or disabled) |
| or North East ISD (east side) | $0.975400 | $140,000 (plus $73,330 if 65 or older, or $60,000 if disabled) |
| City of Terrell Hills | $0.378167 | None listed |
| 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 | $2.163251 (AHISD) or $2.115751 (NEISD) | Each unit applies its own exemption |
Since exemptions are applied unit by unit, the AHISD or NEISD portion is figured on $140,000 less value, while the city portion is figured on the full taxable value. To see exactly which units tax a property, look up the address at Bexar Appraisal District's site (bcad.org).
Once it's your main residence, apply through Bexar Appraisal District for the homestead exemption. The usual deadline is April 30. Buying after January 1 doesn't make you wait a year: you can get the exemption for the months you own the home, provided the seller didn't already claim it for that year. If you miss it, a late application can still be filed up to two years after that year's taxes become delinquent. A veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating, or a rating of individual unemployability, can receive a total exemption on the homestead.
Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Terrell Hills, 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 12, 2026 - NOV 11, 2026)
Which schools serve
Terrell Hills?
Two public school districts split the city. Most of Terrell Hills is in Alamo Heights ISD, whose 9.4 square miles also take in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, and some of north San Antonio. The eastern streets, roughly from Tuttle, Arvin, and Crestwood east to Harry Wurzbach Road, are in North East ISD.
On the AHISD side, the campus list is short. PreK and kindergarten are at Howard Early Childhood Center, grades 1 to 5 at Cambridge or Woodridge Elementary, grades 6 through 8 at Alamo Heights Junior School, and grades 9 through 12 at Alamo Heights High School. The elementary school is the only one that depends on the address. On the NEISD side, the district's Find Your Campus boundary search shows the elementary, middle, and high school for a street.
Once you know the campus, look it up by name on tea.texas.gov, where the Texas Education Agency publishes each campus's report card. St. David's School, at 1300 Wiltshire Avenue, is inside the city. It's a private Episcopal school for ages 16 months through kindergarten. Among private schools nearby, St. Luke's Episcopal School is about 2 driving miles from City Hall, Keystone School about 3, and St. Mary's Hall about 6.
Before you tour Terrell Hills: what to think through
For many buyers, living next to Fort Sam is the draw, so start with how you'll live here day to day.
- Your gate or office. If you're stationed at Fort Sam, know which gate you'll use and check its hours on JBSA's site, then drive it at the times you'd go. The same goes for an office if that's where you'll work.
- AHISD or NEISD. On the east side of the city, the answer can be NEISD instead of AHISD. Decide whether it matters and confirm it for the address.
- Budget and payment. The amount you're approved for and the payment you'd like are rarely the same, so know both.
- What you won't compromise on. A single story, a garage, a fenced yard for pets, room to add on: decide which ones you'd never trade away.
- Lease or list. Decide whether you'd lease the house or list it when your assignment ends.
Does a VA loan work in Terrell Hills?
Yes. If your entitlement is full, VA itself puts no cap on the loan; your lender still decides how much you can borrow. Talk with a VA-approved lender about your entitlement early. My free VA loan guide covers the basics, and the VA's own loan limits page explains how entitlement works.
How far is Terrell Hills
from JBSA installations?
The post next door is Fort Sam Houston, just across Harry Wurzbach Road from the city's east side, with Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery right along that road. Being next door doesn't put you next to every part of the post, though. BAMC sits on the far side, about 5.5 miles by road to the BAMC/I-35 Gate. The table shows approximate driving miles from Terrell Hills City Hall (5100 N. New Braunfels Ave.) to each installation's nearest gate that's open around the clock.
| Fort Sam Houston | ~2.5 miles to the Harry Wurzbach East Gate via Garraty Road and Harry Wurzbach Road |
| BAMC | ~5.5 miles to the BAMC/I-35 Gate |
| Lackland AFB | ~16 miles to the Luke East Gate via US-281, I-35, and US-90 |
| Randolph AFB | ~15 miles to the Lindsey (Main) Gate via Austin Highway, I-35, Loop 1604, and FM 78 |
| Camp Bullis | ~18 miles to the main gate via Broadway, Hildebrand Avenue, and I-10 |
Fort Sam has several gates, and their hours change. Check the current list on JBSA's gate hours page before you narrow your search to particular streets.
For a Randolph, Lackland, or Camp Bullis assignment, the military relocation page compares areas closer to each one, and the Fort Sam Houston housing guide covers the neighborhoods around post.
What is daily life like
in Terrell Hills?
Day to day, Terrell Hills is quiet streets lined with houses and old trees. Groceries, coffee, and Broadway's restaurants are less than a mile west of City Hall, so most errands are a quick trip. Downtown is about 4 miles southwest.
The city's calendar is small-town. The park hosts the holiday events, and the Fourth of July parade ends in a block party. Bigger weekend plans, like museums, the zoo, and long walks by the river, are all a short drive away.
Parks and outdoors
- Crestwood City Park and playground, the city's largest green space, where the Easter egg hunt, the holiday parade, and photos with Santa happen
- The Esplanade on Geneseo, where the July 4th parade ends with a block party and barbecue
- Brackenridge Park, roughly 400 acres on the San Antonio River, about 1.5 miles southwest of City Hall
- The San Antonio Botanical Garden, south of the city near Brackenridge Park
Food and coffee
- Broadway's restaurants and coffee shops in Alamo Heights, under a mile west, including Cappy's Restaurant (5011 Broadway) and Merit Coffee (5903 Broadway)
- The Pearl's restaurants and farmers market, south toward downtown
Shopping and groceries
- H-E-B Austin Highway, 1520 Austin Hwy.
- Central Market, 4821 Broadway
- Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E. Basse Rd., for larger stores
Museums and culture
- McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., just past the city's northern edge
- The Witte Museum and the San Antonio Zoo, both near Brackenridge Park
Also nearby
- University of the Incarnate Word, about 1.5 miles west via Broadway
- San Antonio International Airport, about 10 driving miles north of City Hall via US-281
Data current as of October 2026 · Sources: City of Terrell Hills parks · Brackenridge Park Conservancy · McNay Art Museum · each business's own website
What buyers ask about
Terrell Hills.
How close is Terrell Hills to the Fort Sam Houston gates?
It's right next door: the post is just across Harry Wurzbach Road from the city's east side, and the nearest gate, Harry Wurzbach East, is about 2.5 driving miles from City Hall. How short your trip is depends on where you work on post and which gate you use. The BAMC/I-35 Gate, for instance, is about 5.5 miles. Drive times vary by time of day, traffic, and gate. Check current conditions for your route before deciding.
What school district serves Terrell Hills?
Most of the city is in Alamo Heights ISD, and the eastern streets are in North East ISD. Check the taxing units for the address on bcad.org, confirm the campus with the district, and then look up that campus at tea.texas.gov.
What are home prices in Terrell Hills?
For 2026, the average taxable value of a Terrell Hills homestead is $1,069,779. That's an appraisal figure, and actual prices depend on the house, its condition, and the lot. To see what's on the market now, look higher on this page. I keep live Terrell Hills listings and recent sales there.
How far is Terrell Hills from Randolph, Lackland, and Camp Bullis?
From City Hall it's roughly 16 miles to Lackland, 15 to Randolph, and 18 to Camp Bullis. Those drives are workable, but Terrell Hills' biggest advantages are being next to Fort Sam and, for most addresses, in AHISD. If neither matters for your assignment, compare neighborhoods closer to your installation too. Drive times vary by time of day, traffic, and gate. Check current conditions for your route before deciding.
What should VA buyers know about older Terrell Hills homes?
Full entitlement removes the VA's loan limit, and your lender sets how much you qualify for. Most homes here are decades old, so the VA appraiser looks at the roof, the systems and other condition items under VA's minimum property requirements. Your own inspection early in the option period shows you those items first.
How does Terrell Hills compare to Alamo Heights and Olmos Park?
All three are small, separate cities that AHISD serves. Terrell Hills is the one right across Harry Wurzbach Road from Fort Sam. Alamo Heights is the largest and has Broadway's shops and restaurants inside its limits. Olmos Park is the smallest and sits farthest west. The comparison section above goes into more detail.
What working with me looks like
for Terrell Hills buyers.
- I check first, so you can tour with clear eyes. I request the seller's disclosure and any past inspection reports and find out how old the roof, HVAC and water heater are. If something would end it, you'll know before the showing.
- You can see a house from anywhere. I'll show you the home on video, room by room, so you can make an offer without coming to town.
- I'll put you in touch with a lender; several I know handle VA loans every day.
- When the right Terrell Hills house lists, I write the offer and negotiate it for you.
- Afterward, I keep the deal moving. I coordinate inspections, keep track of the appraisal and closing steps, and walk the house with you one last time before you sign.
Thinking about
Terrell Hills?
Send me your assignment or where you'll work, your move date, and the must-haves for your next house. I'll set up showings for the Terrell Hills homes you want to see. Rather browse first? See the Terrell Hills homes on the market now.
Let's Talk About Your Next MoveTiffany Reed, REALTOR® | MRP | Real Broker LLC
(919) 800-9870 | tiffany@tiffanyreedtx.com | tiffanyreedtx.com
FEATURED LISTINGS
Terrell Hills Homes for Sale
