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Market Overview for Zip Code 78632
There are 5 active listings in Zip Code 78632 with a median list price of $675K and a median sold price of $653K.
Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 2 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $486.
About Zip Code 78632
Zip code 78632 covers the community of Cost, a small unincorporated area in Gonzales County approximately 65 miles southeast of downtown Austin. Cost sits along US-90A between Luling to the west and Gonzales to the east, in a region defined by rolling Blackland Prairie farmland, cattle ranches, and scattered pecan groves. The San Marcos River runs through the northern portion of the zip code, and the area has served as agricultural land since the mid-1800s when German and Anglo settlers established cotton farms and cattle operations along the river bottoms. The population within 78632 is sparse, with fewer than 500 residents spread across a wide rural territory that includes ranch gates, dirt roads, and occasional crossroads clusters.
Real estate in 78632 is almost exclusively rural acreage and agricultural tracts. Properties range from 5-acre homesite lots priced around $150K to large ranches of 50 to 200 acres listed between $500K and $1.5 million or more. Improved properties with updated ranch houses on 10 to 30 acres typically fall in the $350K to $750K range. New construction is rare; most homes are older farmhouses, manufactured homes, or custom-built ranch residences. The area attracts buyers seeking affordable land for cattle operations, hobby farms, or weekend retreats within a reasonable drive of Austin and San Antonio. Property tax rates in Gonzales County are lower than those in the Austin metro, and agricultural exemptions further reduce carrying costs for qualifying acreage.
There is no school district headquartered in Cost itself. Students in 78632 are split between Gonzales ISD to the east and Luling ISD to the west, depending on their exact location within the zip code. Gonzales ISD serves roughly 3,200 students across multiple campuses, while Luling ISD enrolls about 1,600 students. Both districts offer pre-K through 12th grade education with career and technical programs. The nearest private school options are in Gonzales or Seguin, each approximately 15 to 25 minutes away. Higher education is accessible through Texas State University in San Marcos, about 40 minutes northwest.
Commute times from 78632 vary depending on destination. Downtown Austin is roughly 65 to 75 minutes via US-183 or SH-130, while San Antonio is about 70 minutes via I-10. The city of Gonzales, the Gonzales County seat, is approximately 15 minutes east and provides the nearest full range of retail, medical, and government services. Luling is about 10 minutes west and offers grocery stores, restaurants, and basic shopping. The area lacks public transportation, making a personal vehicle essential for daily life. US-90A provides the primary east-west corridor, and FM-1104 connects northward toward San Marcos.
Living in Zip Code 78632
The population of 78632 consists primarily of ranching households and a growing number of remote workers drawn by low land costs and rural privacy. Median household income in the area runs approximately $45,000 to $55,000, reflecting the agricultural economy and lower cost of living compared to the Austin metro. Most residents own their homes or land outright, and the homeownership rate significantly exceeds the statewide average. The community lacks a formal town center, so social life revolves around churches, the volunteer fire department, and county events in Gonzales. Neighbors tend to know each other through agricultural co-ops, livestock auctions at the Gonzales Livestock Market, and school activities in either Gonzales or Luling.
Daily errands require driving to Luling or Gonzales, each within about 10 to 15 minutes. Luling has an H-E-B grocery store, several restaurants, and automotive services. Gonzales offers a wider selection including a Walmart, hospital, and the historic downtown square with local shops and cafes. Outdoor recreation is a central part of life in 78632, with the San Marcos River providing kayaking, tubing, and fishing access, and private ranch land supporting seasonal deer and dove hunting. Palmetto State Park, located about 15 minutes northwest near Luling, offers camping, hiking trails, and birdwatching in a unique dwarf palmetto ecosystem. The annual Come and Take It Festival in Gonzales each October commemorates the first battle of the Texas Revolution with a parade, reenactments, and food vendors.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78632
- Palmetto State Park: 270-acre state park near Luling featuring a dwarf palmetto ecosystem, San Marcos River access, camping, hiking trails, and birdwatching.
- Come and Take It Festival: Annual October festival in Gonzales commemorating the 1835 battle that opened the Texas Revolution, with a parade, reenactments, and live music.
- San Marcos River: Spring-fed river running through the area offering kayaking, tubing, and fishing for bass and sunfish at multiple public access points.
- Gonzales Memorial Museum: County museum in Gonzales displaying artifacts from the Texas Revolution, including a replica of the Come and Take It cannon.
- Gonzales Livestock Market: Weekly cattle auction and livestock market in Gonzales, one of the busiest in south-central Texas, operating year-round.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78632
- Gonzales County (Government): County government offices in Gonzales providing law enforcement, courts, and public services with several hundred employees.
- Gonzales Memorial Hospital (Healthcare): 25-bed critical access hospital in Gonzales serving the county with emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services.
- Gonzales ISD (Education): Largest school district in the area with approximately 500 staff across multiple campuses in Gonzales.
- Tyson Foods (Food Processing): Poultry processing plant in Gonzales employing several hundred workers in production and logistics roles.
Zip Code 78632 Schools
Students in 78632 attend either Gonzales ISD or Luling ISD depending on location within the zip code.
School District: Gonzales ISD
Public Schools
Gonzales Independent School District
Lockhart Independent School District
Pre-Schools
- Gonzales ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program offered at Gonzales Elementary for eligible four-year-olds.
- Luling ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten offered through Luling Elementary School campus.
Private Schools
- St. Paul Lutheran School - Pre-K through 8th grade Lutheran school in Gonzales, approximately 15 minutes east.
Higher Education
- Texas State University - Public university in San Marcos with 38,000+ students, about 40 minutes northwest via SH-80.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78632?
78632 covers the Cost community in Gonzales County, approximately 65 miles southeast of Austin. It sits along US-90A between Luling and Gonzales in a rural agricultural area.
What do homes cost in 78632?
Most properties in 78632 are acreage tracts. Small homesite lots start around $150K, while improved ranch properties on 10 to 30 acres range from $350K to $750K. Large ranches can exceed $1 million.
What school district is 78632 in?
78632 is split between Gonzales ISD and Luling ISD depending on exact location. Gonzales ISD serves about 3,200 students and Luling ISD about 1,600 students.
How far is Cost TX from Austin?
Cost is approximately 65 to 75 minutes from downtown Austin via US-183 or SH-130. San Antonio is about 70 minutes south via I-10.
Is 78632 good for ranching and acreage?
Yes, 78632 is predominantly agricultural land with cattle ranches, hay fields, and pecan groves. Property tax rates in Gonzales County are lower than the Austin metro, and agricultural exemptions reduce costs further.