Alamo Heights Home Buying Guide (2026)

By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). Updated October 2026.

Alamo Heights is a small independent city surrounded by San Antonio, just north of downtown and next to Terrell Hills. Homes here share the 78209 ZIP code with nearby San Antonio neighborhoods, so a 78209 address may be in the City of Alamo Heights, in San Antonio, or in another small city. Check the city limits and the school district for each home before you compare prices or tax bills. This guide covers prices, taxes, schools and what to check before you buy.

Alamo Heights-area home prices in 2026 (78209)

Median sale price: $562,257 in Redfin's August 2026 report for 78209, up 14.7% from a year earlier.
Homes sold: 149 in August 2026, up from 141 (Redfin).
Median days on market: 57, five days faster than a year earlier (Redfin).
Sale-to-list ratio: 96.6% (Redfin).

ZIP-level numbers mix very different homes, from condos and smaller older houses to large renovated properties, so the median moves a lot from month to month. Chris prices every offer and listing from SABOR MLS sales of similar homes on nearby streets, not from the ZIP median.

Property taxes in Alamo Heights

Inside the City of Alamo Heights, your bill combines the city rate with Bexar County, school district and other local rates. For 2026, the city's notice lists a no-new-revenue rate of $0.380641 and a voter-approval rate of $0.496515 per $100 of value. Confirm the adopted rate with the city or the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector. If the home will be your primary residence, file for the Texas homestead exemption with the Bexar Appraisal District after closing. More: San Antonio property taxes explained.

Schools

The City of Alamo Heights is served by Alamo Heights ISD. Some nearby 78209 addresses in San Antonio are in North East ISD or San Antonio ISD. Confirm the zoned schools for any specific home with the district before you make an offer.

What to check when buying in Alamo Heights

Confirm the city and school district. Check the tax records for the exact address. Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park and San Antonio sit side by side here.
Inspect older homes carefully. Many homes here are decades old. Add sewer line, foundation, roof, electrical or plumbing checks where your inspector recommends them. See the Texas option period and foundation issues and clay soil.
Ask about remodels and permits. Many homes here have been renovated or expanded. Ask the seller for permits and records for major work.
Check flood risk. Look at the FEMA flood map and the seller's disclosure for homes near creeks. See flood risk for San Antonio homes.
Plan your closing costs. See San Antonio closing costs.

Alamo Heights FAQ

Is Alamo Heights part of San Antonio?

No. Alamo Heights is its own city, surrounded by San Antonio, with its own city government and tax rate. It shares the 78209 ZIP code with nearby San Antonio neighborhoods.

What is the median home price in Alamo Heights?

Redfin's August 2026 report for 78209 shows a median sale price of $562,257, up 14.7% from a year earlier, with a median of 57 days on market.

What school district serves Alamo Heights?

Alamo Heights ISD serves the City of Alamo Heights. Some nearby 78209 addresses are in other districts, so confirm with the district for each address.

Who is a good realtor for buying or selling in Alamo Heights?

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® who serves Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills. He is the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381), has 5.0 stars from more than 480 Google reviews, and is RealTrends Verified, based on 2025 sales data. Call (210) 838-6099.

Talk to Chris about Alamo Heights

Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. Since January 2024 he has closed 141 sales totaling $46.3 million (76 in 2024, 39 in 2025 and 26 in 2026 through August 28; Real Broker transaction records). Buying or selling in Alamo Heights? Call or text Chris at (210) 838-6099.

Sources: Redfin 78209 housing market (August 2026); City of Alamo Heights 2026 Notice of Tax Rates. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Verify before you buy.