Northwest San Antonio Home Buying Guide (2026): 78254 and 78245 Prices, Taxes, Schools and What to Check
By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). Updated October 2026.
Northwest San Antonio covers a lot of ground. This guide focuses on two ZIP codes next to Alamo Ranch: 78254, along the Loop 1604 and Culebra Road corridor, and 78245, on the far west side along Potranco Road and State Highway 151 near JBSA-Lackland. For 78253, see my Alamo Ranch home buying guide.
Home prices right now
| ZIP code | Median sale price | Change vs. a year earlier | Median days on market | Sale-to-list | Redfin Compete Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78254 (August 2026) | $340,603 | +0.2% | 61 (12 fewer than a year earlier) | 98.5% | 52, somewhat competitive |
| 78245 (September 2026) | $289,915 | +1.4% | 90 (11 more than a year earlier) | 97.6% | 42, somewhat competitive |
| 78253, Alamo Ranch (September 2026) | $324,905 | +1.9% | 79 | 98.2% | n/a |
Source: Redfin ZIP code housing market pages, retrieved October 28, 2026. Months differ because Redfin's latest data point differs by ZIP code.
What it means: prices in both ZIP codes are roughly flat from a year ago. 78254 homes are selling faster than last year, so well-priced homes there still draw quick offers. In 78245, the typical home takes about three months to sell, which gives buyers more time to compare and more room to ask for repairs or seller-paid closing costs. Sellers in 78245 benefit most from pricing right on day one.
City limits or not? Check before you estimate taxes
Northwest San Antonio mixes addresses inside San Antonio city limits with addresses in unincorporated Bexar County. Much of neighboring Alamo Ranch, for example, is outside city limits (KSAT, 2023). Homes inside the city pay the City of San Antonio rate, which was $0.54159 per $100 of taxable value in 2025, with $0.56288 proposed for 2026 (City of San Antonio public hearing notice). Homes outside the city have no city line but can carry other units, such as an emergency services district, and some newer subdivisions have MUD or PID assessments.
Look up the exact tax units for the address on the Bexar Appraisal District site before you write an offer. See my San Antonio property tax guide and MUD and PID tax guide.
Schools
Much of far west and northwest San Antonio is served by Northside ISD, but district lines do not follow ZIP codes, and some sections fall in other districts. Confirm the district and campus for each address with the district's own boundary lookup, not the listing feed.
Commute and getting around
- 78254: Loop 1604, Culebra Road and Bandera Road are the main routes. Drive your work commute at rush hour before you commit; 1604 traffic changes a lot by time of day.
- 78245: State Highway 151 and Potranco Road connect toward Loop 410, Loop 1604 and JBSA-Lackland. If you are on PCS orders, see my homes near Lackland AFB guide and VA loan guide.
New construction vs. resale
Both ZIP codes have newer subdivisions alongside established resale neighborhoods. Builders often advertise incentives on move-in-ready homes. These change often, so compare each builder's current offer on its own website (terms apply, see builder), and bring your own agent to your first visit. With resale homes, the slower 78245 market often leaves room to negotiate concessions that narrow the gap with a builder's incentive. See my new construction guide.
What to check before you buy in Northwest San Antonio
- City limits or unincorporated, and the full list of tax units (Bexar Appraisal District).
- HOA dues and rules, plus any MUD or PID assessment. See my HOA guide.
- School district and campus by address.
- Flood zone for the address. See my flood risk guide.
- A full inspection during your option period, even on a newer home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median home price in 78254?
$340,603 in August 2026, up 0.2% from a year earlier, with a median of 61 days on market (Redfin).
What is the median home price in 78245?
$289,915 in September 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier, with a median of 90 days on market (Redfin).
Is Northwest San Antonio inside city limits?
Some of it is and some of it is not. Northwest San Antonio includes both city addresses and unincorporated Bexar County. Check each address with the Bexar Appraisal District before estimating taxes.
Who is a good realtor for Northwest San Antonio?
Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® and the founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381). He helps buyers and sellers in Alamo Ranch and Northwest San Antonio (78253, 78254, 78245). He was named to the 2026 PT500 list by Platinum Top 50® San Antonio, is RealTrends Verified based on 2025 sales data (#21 by sides in San Antonio), and has 5.0 stars from 480+ Google reviews. Call (210) 838-6099.
Buying or selling in Northwest San Antonio?
I'm Chris Dudley, a San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC. I can pull current sales for the streets you like in 78254 or 78245, check the tax units on a specific home, and compare a builder's offer with resale homes nearby. Call or text (210) 838-6099.
Related: Alamo Ranch realtor | Alamo Ranch home buying guide | Alamo Ranch vs. Stone Oak | Medical Center realtor | First-time buyer guide | FAQ | About Chris
Sources: Redfin 78254 housing market (August 2026 data, retrieved Oct 28, 2026): https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/78254/housing-market. Redfin 78245 housing market (September 2026 data, retrieved Oct 28, 2026): https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/78245/housing-market. Redfin 78253 housing market (September 2026 data): https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/78253/housing-market. KSAT, "A source of neighborly debate: the boundaries of Alamo Ranch" (Nov 15, 2023): https://ksat.com/news/local/2023/11/15/a-source-of-neighborly-debate-the-boundaries-of-alamo-ranch. City of San Antonio, Notice of Public Hearing on 2026 Tax Increase: https://www.sa.gov/files/assets/main/v/1/finance/documents/notice-of-public-hearing-on-2026-tax-increase.pdf. Data changes monthly; verify before relying on it.