The Definitive Ranking Of 2021’s Best Houston Suburbs
The Definitive Ranking Of 2021's Best Houston Suburbs
Comprehensive guide to the top 17 suburban neighborhoods in Houston.
COVID-19 continues to impact the Houston real estate market.
One of the recent trends brought by the global pandemic: more people are looking in the suburbs.
We’re seeing more buyers motivated to find homes with a bigger yard, extra room(s) for homeschooling and home office, a pool, and generally just more space.
The best suburbs in Houston feature homes on sizeable lots, accessibility, top-ranked public schools, and excellent community amenities.
We created this list of “Best Houston Suburbs To Live” In by looking at population centers above 10,000 within 45 minutes of the heart of Houston. We included both independent cities and suburban regions within the city of Houston.
Each of these Houston suburbs was graded on these five items:
- Walkability
- Commute Times
- Employment
- Public Schools
- Amenities
The Houston suburbs list was then ranked from top to bottom based on their combined score, and given a letter grade to help illustrate their ranking. (See our complete methodology below.)
Check out the 17 best Houston suburbs below and see where they’re located using our Houston Texas suburbs map.
Curious to know which Houston suburbs are best for you? On the lookout for a specific home in any of these neighborhoods? We've got you. Contact Paige Martin at [email protected], ranked #1 Agent with Keller Williams in Texas and #5 Worldwide.
Table of Contents
- By The Numbers: 17 Of Houston's Top Suburbs
- Cost Of Living In The Suburbs?
- The Best Houston Suburbs On A Map
- The 17 Best Houston Suburbs: 2021 Ranking
- Sources & Methodology
- Best Realtors In The Suburbs
By The Numbers: 17 Of Houston’s Top Suburbs
Below, we've included the summary real estate statistics for Houston's Best Suburbs. Please contact us for more data or an analysis of which areas may be best for you.
| Suburb | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10 Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands | $480,000 | $167 | 60% |
| Katy | $345,000 | $137 | 31% |
| Sugar Land | $400,000 | $142 | 50% |
| Pearland | $318,000 | $131 | 62% |
| Richmond | $325,000 | $134 | 69% |
| Cypress | $350,000 | $133 | 45% |
| Friendswood | $342,075 | $145 | 34% |
| Clear Lake | $315,000 | $136 | 57% |
| Stafford | $225,000 | $120 | 26% |
| Missouri City | $255,000 | $118 | 33% |
| Kingwood | $285,000 | $120 | 32% |
| Jersey Village | $294,000 | $126 | 52% |
| Manvel | $386,000 | $142 | 70% |
| Fulshear | $385,000 | $147 | 10% |
| Spring/Klein | $295,000 | $120 | 40% |
| Humble | $227,500 | $116 | 19% |
| Tomball | $349,992 | $140 | 74% |
Cost Of Living In The Suburbs?
Curious about how much annual income is needed to buy a home within Houston's top suburbs? Contact us at [email protected] for a full report.
| Suburb | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary* | 1-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands | $480,000 | 115,000 | 16.6% |
| Katy | $345,000 | 87,000 | 16.9% |
| Sugar Land | $400,000 | 96,000 | 14.3% |
| Pearland | $318,000 | 81,000 | 14.4% |
| Richmond | $325,000 | 83,000 | 17.0% |
| Cypress | $350,000 | 90,000 | 14.8% |
| Friendswood | $342,075 | 80,000 | 14.8% |
| Clear Lake | $315,000 | 77,000 | 10.4% |
| Stafford | $225,000 | 54,000 | 14.8% |
| Missouri City | $255,000 | 63,000 | 10.9% |
| Kingwood | $285,000 | 70,000 | 11.8% |
| Jersey Village | $294,000 | 73,000 | 13.1% |
| Manvel | $386,000 | 107,000 | 17.6% |
| Fulshear | $385,000 | 103,000 | 16.0% |
| Spring/Klein | $295,000 | 73,000 | 18.0% |
| Humble | $227,500 | 57,000 | 16.7% |
| Tomball | $349,992 | 89,000 | 14.8% |
For a more succinct breakdown of how much salary is needed to buy a home in any of Houston’s top neighborhoods, please go here. The methodology for the computation above is also in there.
The Best Houston Suburbs On A Map
“The Houston Properties Team went above and beyond during the home buying and selling process. We first worked with Paige and her team in 2012 and chose to work with them again in 2021. Their knowledge of the market and trends by neighborhood made them trusted advisors and helped us negotiate the best prices. Additionally, they were with us every step of the way to ensure things were as simple and efficient as possible for us. They also have a fabulous list of contractors. We were especially happy with their recommendations for painting walls and refinishing floors before we moved in.” – Jessica Graham
Houston covers over 600 square miles, has over 604 schools, and has a population of approximately 7 million people.
One of the common questions that we receive from clients is, “Where are the best neighborhoods in Houston?” To answer this, we compiled Houston area neighborhoods then ranked the best suburbs for each quadrant of Houston (and we’ll show them to you soon), but below is our “best of the best” suburb list.
- The Woodlands
- Katy
- Sugar Land
- Pearland
- Richmond
- Cypress
- Friendswood
- Clear Lake
- Stafford
- Missouri City
- Kingwood
- Jersey Village
- Manvel
- Fulshear
- Spring
- Humble
- Tomball
The 17 Best Houston Suburbs: 2021 Ranking
Houston has a number of suburbs that offer incredible amenities, top-ranked public schools, and great access to key Houston employment and business hubs, which is why many choose to move here. To help you out, we've done the research and ranked only the best suburbs in this easy-to-follow guide so you can easily see which is the best suburb for you and your family.
1. The Woodlands
HP Team Ranking: A+
The Woodlands made it to the very top of this Best Houston Suburbs list because of great community amenities, good schools, and high quality of life.
Filled with lush neighborhoods and bustling retail and employment centers, it’s an award-winning master-planned community that’s nestled about 30 miles north downtown and is also considered one of the best Houston neighborhoods for families.
Though it started as a Houston suburb, it has transformed into a bustling and balanced community with hundreds of restaurants and cafes, as well as several corporate campuses.
To see which neighborhoods in this suburb would be a great place to live in, check out the Best Neighborhoods in The Woodlands.
Woodlands Walkability
For the most part, residents in The Woodlands would need a car to be able to get around.
Woodlands Commute Times
The Woodlands is located fairly near downtown, the Energy Corridor, and The Galleria, as it takes an average of 40 to 45 minutes to get between the suburb and those areas. Going to the Medical Center, however, would take longer (around an hour).
Woodlands Employment
Several companies have put roots down in the community, including Chevron Phillips, Baker Hughes, Maersk Line, ExxonMobil, and SWN, among others. The Woodlands has 20+ million square feet of office space and over 60,000 workers commuting to the area daily.
Woodlands Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools in this suburb are Buckalew Elementary School, Bush Elementary School, McCullough Jr. High School, and Woodlands High School.
Homes in The Woodlands are zoned to the Conroe, Tomball, and Magnolia ISDs.
Woodlands Amenities
The vast community features over 7,500 acres of green space (130 parks and a 1,700-acre nature preserve), lakes and ponds, and over 200 miles of hike-and-bike trails including the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, Creekwood Park, and Town Green Park.
Residents can take advantage of The Woodlands’ facilities for golf, kayaking, tennis, and other outdoor activities. Golf courses in or nearby are The Woodlands Country Club: Palmer Course, The Club at Carlton Woods Creekside, and the Club at Carlton Woods: Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
The Woodlands Town Center is also home to over 200 restaurants, bars, cafes, retail stores, and shops. Popular spots around the district include Market Street, The Waterway District, The Woodlands Malls, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
2. Katy
HP Team Ranking: A+
Katy Notable Masterplanned Communities
Cinco Ranch, Cane Island, Firethorne, and Pine Mill Ranch
The overall quality of schools from the Katy Independent School District and the city’s local amenities catapulted Katy to near the top of this best of Houston’s suburbs list.
Convenient accessibility to the Energy Corridor and major freeways also contributed to the city’s overall score, making it one of the best Houston texas neighborhoods out there. Key Houston business and employment centers are minutes away, though several companies have also set up shop within Katy’s boundaries.
Katy features several master-planned communities and subdivisions, including Cinco Ranch (considered as one of the best Houston suburbs for families as well), Cane Island, Firethorne, Pine Mill Ranch, Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes, Elyson, and Young Ranch.
Katy Walkability
Those who prefer to get around on foot may be glad to know that Katy is pretty walkable.
Katy CommuteTimes
Katy’s location makes it extremely accessible to the Energy Corridor, taking only 15 minutes to get there. The Galleria will take twice as long (30 minutes), but it’s still not going to be a laborious commute. Going downtown and the Medical Center, on the other hand, will take even longer at around 40 minutes.
Katy Employment
The Energy Corridor, a major Houston employment hub, is located just a few miles east of Katy, and so are the major employers in the Energy Corridor including McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, and Gulf States Toyota. Numerous business and employment centers can be found within the suburb itself as well.
Katy Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools in Katy are Katy Elementary School, Ray and Jamie Wolman Elementary School, Rodger and Ellen Beck Junior High School, Memorial Parkway Junior High School, Cinco Ranch High School, and Taylor High School.
Homes are zoned to the Katy Independent School District, and many of Katy’s public schools rank amongst the top in Texas.
Katy Amenities
Katy homes are centrally located near hundreds of restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment hubs. In fact, it’s ranked as one of the top communities in the state for “Fun Family Activities” with popular shopping and entertainment establishments like LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, Katy Mills Mall, and Typhoon Texas Water Park.
Parks and trails also abound in this area, including Mary Jo Peckham Park, Katy Park, Malcolm E. Beckendorff Family Park, Exploration Park, Katy Dog Park, Grand Lakes Dog Park, and many others.
It’s also a good place for a round of golf. Katy has some of Houston’s Best Golf Courses & Golf Communities, including The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch (public), Meadow Brook Farms Golf Club (public), Falcon Point (private), Willow Fork (private), and Bear Creek Golf World.
3. Sugar Land
HP Team Ranking: A
Covering a 24.9-square mile area, Sugar Land in Fort Bend County’s largest suburban city. Its fast-paced growth, excellent schools, great accessibility, and a high number of dining, retail, and employment centers make the city a great option — and number three in this Top Neighborhoods in Houston list.
Located about 24 miles southwest of downtown (as can be seen in our Houston neighborhoods map), Sugar Land is also one of the best suburbs of Houston for families and features 13 master-planned communities and subdivisions, including Aliana, Greatwood, Riverstone, and New Territory.
Sugar Land Walkability
Like Katy, Sugar Land is quite walkable, and you can easily get around most of the time without needing a car.
Sugar Land Commute Times
Sugar Land is an amazing community with excellent accessibility to all four major hubs — the Energy Corridor and the Galleria (25 minutes for both), and Downtown and the Medical Center (30 mins for both).
Sugar Land Employment
The Sugar Land Business Park, a 1,000-acre development near the northeast edge of the city, is home to several companies including Tramontina and Schlumberger. Other companies in the city include CVR Energy (Fortune 500), Fluor, NalcoChampion, Imperial Sugar Company, and Minute Maid, among others.
Its accessibility to all four major hubs also makes it easy to get to the major employers in those areas, such as Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, and the Gulf States Toyota in the Energy Corridor, and Enbridge, BHP Billiton, and Landry’s in the Galleria.
Sugar Land Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Walker Station Elementary School, Brazos Bend Elementary School, Colony Meadows Elementary School, Sartartia Middle School, Fort Settlement Middle School, and Clements High School.
The Fort Bend Independent School District serves most of Sugar Land, while other homes are zoned to the Lamar Consolidated ISD.
Sugar Land Amenities
The communities within Sugar Land offer luxury amenities including golf courses, pools, and neighborhood centers. It also has more than 20,000 Yelp-rated commercial establishments, lakes, parks, and numerous trails for hiking and biking, such as Sugar Land Memorial Park and Brazos River Corridor, Cullinan Park, Brazos Landing Park, and Sutton Park, to name just a few.
It should also be noted that one of Houston’s Best Golf Course Communities, Sugar Creek, is located in Sugar Land. There are 4 golf courses in the city, including Greatwood Golf Club (public), Riverbend Country Club (private), Sugar Creek Country Club (private), and Sweetwater Country Club (private).
In terms of retail and entertainment, the city has the Sugar Land Town Square, a 32-acre shopping and office complex that’s part of the First Colony master-planned community, developed by Planned Community Developers. The city also has First Colony Mall, a regional shopping mall that features more than 1,000,000 square feet of retail space and over 150 retail stores and establishments.
4. Pearland
HP Team Ranking: A
Pearland Notable Masterplanned Communities
There are many good neighborhoods in Houston, and Pearland definitely is one of them. This suburb made it into this list due to the number of highly-rated schools zoned to its homes. The city also offers a relatively shorter commute (compared to the other Houston suburbs on this list) to key districts like the Medical Center and downtown.
More than 80% of Pearland is residential and is home to several master-planned communities. Shadow Creek Ranch, Silverlake, Silvercreek, Green Tee Terrace, Sunrise Lakes, and Southern Trails are just some of the communities within the city.
The city has seen plenty of development over the past few years, though some areas are still practically untouched.
Pearland Walkability
Pearland is pretty okay on our walkability ranking, as most errands in and around the neighborhood can be accomplished by simply walking.
Pearland Commute Times
Since Pearland is just south of Beltway 8 and is along South Freeway, residents enjoy a quick commute to key areas in Houston. It’s conveniently located 25 minutes away from both downtown and the Medical Center, while the Galleria itself is only 30 minutes away. The Energy Corridor, on the other hand, is located a bit farther — approximately 40 minutes away.
Pearland Employment
Its great location makes Pearland easily accessible to major job centers like the Texas Medical Center and downtown, which has more than 3,500+ businesses employing more than 150,000 workers.
Pearland Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Silverlake Elementary School, Silvercrest Elementary School, Shadycrest Elementary School, and Pearland Junior High School (East, West, and South).
Most Pearland homes are zoned to the Pearland ISD, though small portions of the city are under Fort Bend, Alvin, Clear Creek, Houston, and Pasadena ISDs.
Pearland Amenities
Pearland features several shopping and entertainment centers, including the Pearland Town Center, Shadow Creek Town Center, and Silverlake Village Shopping Center.
Parks, hike-and-bike trails (Shadow Creek Ranch Nature Trail and Mary’s Creek Trail, to name a few), nature centers, and retail centers are scattered throughout Pearland, including three golf courses (Clear Creek Golf Club, Southwyck Golf Club, and Golfcrest Country Club).
5. Richmond
HP Team Ranking: A
Richmond Notable Masterplanned Communities
Aliana, Long Meadow Farms, and Lakes of Bella Terra
Richmond is a small 2.9-square-mile independent city and is one of the more affordable Houston suburbs in the area. It lies southwest of Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford.
A small city, like Katy, has several master-planned communities within its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Aliana, Long Meadow Farms, Lakes of Bella Terra, Pecan Grove, Harvest Green, and Verdana all have Richmond addresses.
Richmond Walkability
Like the previous neighborhoods, Richmond is somewhat walkable and some errands can be accomplished by simply walking, without the need for a car.
Richmond Commute Times
Because Richmond is a relatively small city, it doesn’t have a public transit system. Residents will need a car to go downtown and to the Galleria (35 minutes for both). Going to the Medical Center will take a little longer (40 minutes) while going to the Energy Corridor will take a bit faster (30 minutes).
Richmond Employment
Richmond residents have easy access to employment opportunities in the Energy Corridor, including those from major employers like Shell Oil Company and Gulf States Toyota.
Richmond Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Austin Elementary School, Manford Williams Elementary School, McNeille Elementary School, and Hutchison Elementary School.
Richmond homes are zoned to both Lamar Consolidated ISD and Fort Bend ISD. Children At Risk ranked Fort Bend ISD 4th in its Greater Houston Large School District Rankings.
Richmond Amenities
Residents in Richmond enjoy a bevy of outdoor entertainment hubs including the Fort Bend Country Club, Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club, Shadow Hawk Golf Club, and Black Hawk Country Club (formerly The Houstonian).
The city also maintains a few parks (including Clay Park, George Park, Richmond City Park, and Wessendorff Park), all of which offer a variety of sports facilities and other amenities.
Several retail and dining options are also available with several shopping centers and commercial establishments lining Southwest Freeway just south of Richmond.
6. Cypress
HP Team Ranking: A
Cypress Notable Masterplanned Communities
Towne Lake and Bridgeland
Cypress is a growing unincorporated community located about 27 miles northwest of downtown.
Thanks to commercial and residential developments during the 1990s, Cypress is now a bustling Houston suburb made up of several master-planned communities and smaller neighborhoods. Towne Lake, Bridgeland, Kluge Lake, and Cypress Creek Lakes are among the master-planned communities within the Cypress area.
Cypress Walkability
Cypress ranks pretty well on the walkability scale, with some errands able to be accomplished by foot.
Cypress Commute Times
If you’re looking to commute from Cypress to Downtown or the Medical Center, you’d have to set aside 35 minutes for the one-way drive. Going to the Galleria is a bit similar, with you needing to set aside 30 minutes for the commute. The Energy Corridor is the nearest to Cypress at 25 minutes one way.
Cypress Employment
Cypress’s proximity to the Energy Corridor makes it a great area for those looking to work for major employers like Foster Wheeler, Gulf States Toyota, Dow Chemical Company, and Shell Oil Company.
Cypress Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Adam Elementary School, Lamkin Elementary School, Spillane Middle School, Cypress Ranch High School, Cypress Woods High School, and Cy-Fair High School.
Cypress is zoned to the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, one of the fastest-growing school districts in the country. Cy-Fair ISD was ranked 6th in Children At Risk’s Greater Houston Large School District Rankings.
Cypress Amenities
Cypress features several restaurants, parks, golf courses, outdoor recreational venues, retail and entertainment centers like Cypress Towne Center and Fairfield Town Center.
Golf courses that can be found in or nearby are Cypress Lakes Golf Club, BlackHorse Golf Club, and Longwood Golf Club while Little Cypress Creek Preserve is a great place to go for the nature lovers out there.
7. Friendswood
HP Team Ranking: A-
Friendswood made it to our Houston suburbs list due to high overall livability and great schools. The city also features a good number of green spaces and parks. It’s also considered as one of the best Houston suburbs to retire in.
Located about 22 miles southeast of Houston’s Central Business District, Friendswood is nestled in the area south of Beltway 8, west of Gulf Freeway, and east of Texas Highway 35. Highly accessible and centrally located, homes in the area are minutes away from key Houston retail, business, employment, and entertainment centers.
Friendswood Walkability
It’s fairly easy to get around Friendswood by walking, as some errands don’t require a car.
Friendswood Commute Times
Friendswood to downtown will take you only 30 minutes each way. Commuting to the Medical Center, Galleria, and the Energy Corridor will however take you a bit longer (35-45 minutes each way).
Friendswood Employment
Its proximity to downtown makes Friendswood easily accessible to major employers in the downtown area, including United Airlines, Wells Fargo, KPMG, and Deloitte, to name a few.
Friendswood Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Westwood Elementary School, Cline Elementary School, Bales Intermediate School, Windsong Intermediate School, Friendswood Junior High School, and Friendswood High School.
Friendswood homes are zoned to two highly rated school districts, namely Friendswood ISD and Clear Creek ISD. The Friendswood ISD was ranked first in Children at Risk’s Greater Houston School District Rankings, while Clear Creek ISD also ranked first for the “Large School” Rankings.
Friendswood Amenities
A mixed-use suburb, Friendswood has a good number of restaurants, bars, and retail centers (Baybrook Mall and Walmart) within its borders. Parks, sports venues, outdoor activity centers, and other entertainment hotspots are all just minutes away from Friendswood homes as well.
Timber Creek Golf Club is a good golf course in or near Friendswood, while 1776 Memorial Park and Frankie Carter Randolph Park are good places to spend the day with nature.
8. Clear Lake City
HP Team Ranking: A-
Considered one of the best neighborhoods in Houston for singles, Clear Lake City is a master-planned community located about 22 miles southeast of downtown and is adjacent to the Johnson Space Center. It is subdivided into smaller neighborhoods, including the golf course community, Bay Oaks.
Clear Lake City Walkability
Clear Lake is a city that’s quite dependent on cars, as most residents would need to own a car to be able to accomplish most errands.
Clear Lake City Commute Times
Located near the Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8) and bisected by the Gulf Freeway (I-45), Clear Lake residents have great access to downtown (30 minutes each way), the Medical Center (30 minutes each way), and the Museum District. Commuting from Clear Lake to the Galleria and the Energy Corridor will take a bit longer though, with residents looking at commute times of 40 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively.
Clear Lake City Employment
Clear Lake has major aerospace companies headquartered nearby, including Boeing and Lockheed-Martin. Its proximity to downtown also makes it easily accessible for those looking to work in companies like Ernst & Young, JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Deloitte.
Clear Lake City Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Clear Lake City Elementary School, Victory Lakes Intermediate School, Clear Lake High School, and Clear Lake Intermediate School.
Most Clear Lake City homes are zoned to the highly-rated Clear Creek ISD. Among the schools that serve the area, Clear Lake Intermediate School was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School.
Clear Lake City Amenities
Plenty of retail, entertainment, dining, and business centers are located within and around the city’s borders. Parks, schools, restaurants, shops, and outdoor activity centers are all just within minutes of Clear Lake as well.
Baybrook Mall and Baybrook Square Shopping Center are some of the retail centers located within Clear Lake, while Texas Avenue Park, Walnut Park, and Sylvan Rodriguez Park are just some of the parks located within or near the city. For golf enthusiasts, Clear Lake Golf Course and Topgolf are some of the places you can check out for a quick round.
9. Stafford
HP Team Ranking: A-
Stafford’s motto says it all: City with no property taxes! Dubbed as an “Island of Business Opportunity,” the city is known for its business parks, home to several companies in a variety of industries.
Consumer finance website NerdWallet ranked Stafford 3rd in its list of “Best Places to Start a Business in Texas.”
Stafford Walkability
Aside from having no property taxes, Stafford is also a great place for walkers. The city is somewhat walkable and most errands can be accomplished on foot.
Stafford Commute Times
Stafford is located very near to employment centers, with a one-way commute from Stafford to the Galleria, the Energy Corridor, the Medical Center, and downtown taking only 20-25 minutes. Apart from employment and business centers, Stafford homes are minutes away from main roads including Beltway 8, US 59, US 90A, and Highway 6.
Stafford Employment
The city features 15 business parks and is home to companies like UPS, Tyco, Seamar Divers, and General Technologies, Inc. Its proximity to the four major employment and business centers also gives Stafford residents great access to employers like the Shell Oil Company, Air Liquide America, Wells Fargo, etc.
Stafford Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools are: Meadows Elementary School, Stafford High School, Sugar Creek Montessori School, St. Laurence Catholic School, and Excelsior Academy
Stafford is zoned to the Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD). It is the only municipal school district in Texas.
Stafford Amenities
Schools, parks, restaurants, and stores are highly accessible from homes in the area.
Green space also abounds in the small city, covering over 35 acres. Stafford City Park, Gordon Fountain Lake Park, and Vaccaro Manor Park are popular outdoor hubs for residents. Golf enthusiasts, on the other hand, can visit several nearby golf courses, including Riverbend Country Club, Sugar Creek Country Club, Quail Valley Golf Grille & Events Sweetwater Country Club, Sienna Plantation Golf Club, and Shadow Hawk Golf Club.
Restaurants, bars, cafes, and retail centers are all minutes away from Stafford homes. The Fountains Shopping Center, conveniently located along I-59, features several restaurants and stores.
10. Missouri City
HP Team Ranking: A-
Missouri City Notable Masterplanned Communities
Missouri City is a growing 29.8-square mile city located about 17 miles southwest from the heart of Houston.
Much of Missouri City’s growth can be attributed to the master-planned communities within and just outside the city’s borders. Lake Olympia and parts of Riverstone and Sienna Plantation are within Missouri City.
Missouri City Walkability
The city is not very walkable, as residents would mostly require a car to get around.
Missouri City Commute Times
While not very walkable, Missouri City has the distinction of being easily accessible from all four major business and employment centers — it takes only 20 minutes each way from Missouri City to downtown, making it one of the best Houston suburbs for downtown commute. Going to the Medical Center, the Galleria, and the Energy Corridor from Missouri City takes only 20 minutes as well.
Missouri City Employment
Missouri City residents are minutes away from key employment centers in Houston, Stafford, and Sugar Land, making it a great place to live for those looking to work in those areas.
Missouri City Public Schools
Notable top-rated Schools within 5 miles are Quail Valley Middle School and Billy Baines Middle School.
Most Missouri City homes are zoned to Fort Bend ISD. The small section within Harris County, on the other hand, is served by Houston ISD schools.
Missouri City Amenities
Each community offers a unique set of amenities, though the city has plenty more to offer.
Texas Gold Medal Awardee Missouri City Parks and Recreation Department maintains 20 parks, athletic centers, and miles of hike-and-bike trails.
Missouri has plenty of dining, retail, and entertainment options nearby, including Riverstone Shopping Center and other commercial establishments along Highway 6. Residents can also enjoy a round of golf in Quail Valley Golf, Grille & Events, and Sienna Plantation Golf Club.
11. Kingwood
HP Team Ranking: B+
Dubbed “The Livable Forest,” and also considered as one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston, Kingwood is a 14,000-acre master-planned community nestled northeast of downtown Houston.
Kingwood is made up of 25 neighborhoods, called villages, and offers a good number of community amenities like pools and parks.
Kingwood Walkability
Kingwood is somewhat walkable — some errands can be done on foot while some will still need a car to get around now and then.
Kingwood Commute Times
Employment centers in The Woodlands and Houston are minutes away, as well as key areas like the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Kingwood to downtown will take an average of 35 minutes each way, while a commute to the Medical Center, the Galleria, and the Energy Corridor will take an average of 40 to 45 minutes per way.
Kingwood Employment
Kingwood residents can enjoy easy access to employers located downtown. Some of the major employers in the area are Bank of America, Ernst & Young, Wells Fargo, United Airlines, and KPMG.
Kingwood Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Bear Branch Elementary School, Greentree Elementary School, Kings Manor Elementary School, Kingwood Middle School, and Kingwood High School.
Most Kingwood homes are zoned to the Humble ISD, while others are served by New Caney ISD.
Kingwood Amenities
The master-planned community features more than 75 miles of multi-purpose trails and greenbelts, about 500 acres of parks and nature preserves (Kingwood Park, East End Park, and Dylan Duncan Memorial Skatepark), and 2 golf courses (The Clubs of Kingwood and Kingwood Cove Golf Club).
For retail needs, residents visit the Kingwood Town Center, located at the meeting point between Kingwood Drive and Lake Houston Parkway. Deerbrook Mall (in Humble), a 1.2 million square foot mall, is another retail center that’s a short drive away from Kingwood.
12. Jersey Village
HP Team Ranking: B+
Located about 18 miles northwest of Downtown, Jersey Village has transformed from a former cattle ranch to a fast-growing city.
Once dubbed a “small town with big plans,” Jersey Village is known for its peaceful vibe and rapid real estate and commercial development.
Jersey Village Walkability
Residents of Jersey Village depend a lot on their cars for going around since the city is not very walkable.
Jersey Village Commute Times
Downtown, the Energy Corridor, the Galleria, and the Medical Center are all less than 30 minutes away from Jersey Village.
Jersey Village Employment
The neighborhood provides direct access to the four most important business hubs in Houston, like Downtown, the Energy Corridor, the Galleria, and the Medical Center.
Jersey Village Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools are Post Elementary School, Cook Middle School, and Jersey Village High School.
Jersey Village homes are zoned to the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, the largest school district to have all its 87 schools rated as ‘Met Standards’ by the Texas Education Agency.
Jersey Village Amenities
Jersey Village is among the top-rated golf course communities in Houston. Along with the Jersey Meadow Golf Course, the community also features a swimming pool, a park with playground facilities, and a small lake.
For retail options, residents can go to Memorial City Mall and CityCentre Plaza.
13. Manvel
HP Team Ranking: B+
Manvel is a small city located in Brazoria County that is a very popular choice for those who are looking for an exceptionally livable suburb outside the city center. It’s home to several master-planned communities that offer incredible amenities including tennis courts, stocked lakes, swimming pools, and hike-and-bike trails.
Manvel Walkability
Manvel is not a very walkable city, as residents would mostly need a car to get around and accomplish errands.
Manvel Commute Times
Since both the Texas State Highway 288 and Highway 6 run through the community, residents from Manvel are afforded an easy commute and direct access to key Houston areas including the Texas Medical Center (30 minutes) and downtown (25 minutes). It’s also fairly near the Galleria (30 minutes) but a bit far from the Energy Corridor (40 minutes).
Manvel Employment
Manvel residents have easy access to major employers downtown such as KPMG, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte, to name a few.
Manvel Public Schools
Notable top-ranked schools in Manvel include Silvercrest Elementary, Rogers/Berry Miller Jr High, and Glenda Dawson High.
Manvel homes are zoned to the Alvin Independent School District (Alvin ISD).
Manvel Amenities
The city of Manvel is mostly residential, though a growing number of dining, shopping, and entertainment options are available outside its borders and along SH 288. For more retail and entertainment options, residents can take a short drive to nearby Pearland where they can check out Pearland Town Center, Silverlake Village Shopping Center, and The Crossing at 288 (all less than 15 minutes away).
Golf enthusiasts, on the other hand, can take a short drive to Southwyck Golf Club, one of the Best Golf Courses in Houston. Other golf courses that can be easily accessed from Manvel are Green Tee Terrace and Golfcrest Country Club. Masterplanned communities in Manvel also have their own amenities. Rodeo Palms has 10+ lakes, walking trails, tennis courts, a Jr. Olympic-sized pool, while Meridiana’s Amenity Village has an amphitheater, a fitness center, swimming pools, a cafe, and a game area. It also features lakes and hike-and-bike trails.
14. Fulshear
HP Team Ranking: B+
Fulshear Notable Masterplanned Communities
Cross Creek Ranch and Weston Lakes
Fulshear is a small incorporated city in Fort Bend County and is one of the richest Houston suburbs, which earned it the distinction of being one of “Houston’s Most Affluent Communities” according to the American City Business Journal (ACBJ). It features several multi-awarded master-planned communities such as Cross Creek Ranch and Weston Lakes, and boasts easy access to great retail, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation options.
Fulshear Walkability
Residents in Fulshear are dependent on their cars, as the suburb mostly requires a car to get around, and as such is not a very walkable city.
Fulshear Commute Times
Residents will need to set aside a good chunk of time when commuting from Fulshear to key Houston areas, such as the Energy Corridor (30 minutes), the Galleria (35 minutes), downtown (40 minutes), and the Medical Center (45 minutes).
Fulshear Employment
Fulshear is nearest to the Energy Corridor, which gives residents fairly easy access to energy employers such as Shell Oil Company and Gulf States Toyota.
Fulshear Public Schools
Notable top-ranked schools near Fulshear include Woodcreek Jr High School and Katy High School.
East Fulshear homes are zoned to Katy ISD, while those west are served by Lamar CISD.
Fulshear Amenities
Continued commercial development in the Greater Katy area has created some great retail, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation options near Fulshear. Some of these are golf courses like the Meadow Brook Farms Golf Club, The Golf Club at Fulshear, and Weston Lakes Country Club. Other outdoor recreation options are Flewellen Creek Park and Arbor Park.
The city’s downtown area offers a few options along Main Street like groceries, bars, and a couple of stores. For more retail and dining options, residents can also take a short drive to The Shops at Bella Terra and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch (both along Grand Parkway).
15. Spring
HP Team Ranking: B
A census-designated place (CDP) about 25 miles north of downtown, Spring made it to our list of best Houston suburbs due to its good standard of life. Its proximity to job centers and several schools also contributed to its inclusion.
Spring Walkability
Spring is a somewhat walkable suburb. Residents can mostly go around on foot but may need to use cars for most errands.
Spring Commute Times
Spring homes are 30 minutes away from downtown and 35 minutes away from both the Medical Center and the Galleria. The Energy Corridor, on the other hand, will take residents from Spring 40 minutes to get to.
Spring Employment
Employment centers in The Woodlands and Houston are highly accessible from Spring.
Spring Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Broadway Elementary School, Snyder Elementary School, Birnham Woods Elementary School, Kaufman Elementary School, Cox Intermediate School, and York Junior High School.
Homes in the Spring CDP are zoned to the Spring ISD. Some homes from Spring are served by schools from Klein ISD and Conroe ISD.
Spring Amenities
Spring homes are centrally located near parks, golf courses, and restaurants. Retail and dining areas nearby are Cypresswood Court Shopping Center, Magnola LLC / Cypresswood Retail Center, Goodwill Houston Select Stores, and Louetta Central.
The Cypresswood Golf Club, the Spring Creek Greenway, and the Spring Trails Preserve are among the community’s must-visit places.
16. Humble
HP Team Ranking: B
Humble Notable Masterplanned Communities
Humble is a 9.9-square mile independent city located just outside Beltway 8. Humble ISD’s overall rating, number of local amenities, and high accessibility brought Humble to 16th place in our list of Houston’s best suburbs. The strong appreciation rate of the homes also makes it one of the best neighborhoods to invest in Houston.
Humble Walkability
One of Humble’s selling points is its walkability — the suburb is deemed to be very walkable as residents can go around and accomplish errands on foot.
Humble Commute Times
Residents have fairly easy commutes going to downtown (25 minutes), the Medical Center, and the Galleria (30 minutes each). The same can be said for commutes going to The Woodlands and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Going to the Energy Corridor (40 minutes) can take a bit more time, however.
Humble Employment
The easy commute going downtown makes Humble a perfect place for those looking to work for major employers downtown like Chevron, JP Morgan, Deloitte, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, Wells Fargo, United Airlines, and KPMG.
Humble Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools within 5 miles are Atascocita Springs Elementary School, Fall Creek Elementary School, Eagle Springs Elementary School, Maplebrook Elementary School, and Quest Early College High School.
The Humble ISD was 5th in Children At Risk’s Greater Houston Large School District Rankings and was 6th in Niche.com’s 2018 Best School Districts in the Houston Area list. It was also rated “Recognized” by the TEA for its smaller learning communities.
Humble Amenities
Located about 19 miles north of downtown, Humble features many restaurants, retail centers, and outdoor entertainment areas. At the heart of the district is Deerbrook Mall, a 1,200,000-square foot retail center that features 140+ stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Forever 21, JCPenney, Macy’s, and Sears. There’s also Humblewood Shopping Center, Humble Plaza Shopping Center, and Deerbrook Oaks for more retail options.
Humble also has plenty of outdoor entertainment options, which include The Golf Club of Houston, Cypresswood Golf Club, Kingwood Cove Golf Club, The Clubs of Kingwood, and Oakhurst Golf Club for golf enthusiasts. For those who love the outdoors, Humble has Schott Park, Hirsch Park, Timberwood Park, and Uptown Park.
17. Tomball
Tomball is a popular incorporated city that boasts of top-ranked schools, luxury gated communities, and large wooded lots. Tomball homes are located near many outdoor and entertainment centers, giving residents a host of options in terms of recreation.
HP Team Ranking: B
Tomball Walkability
Like Humble, Tomball has the distinction of being one of the few suburbs in this list that has a high level of walkability. Residents enjoy walking around Tomball and accomplishing errands as the suburb is very walkable.
Tomball Commute Times
Compared to the other suburbs on this list, commuting from Tomball to the four major business hubs will take a bit more time, which is one of the reasons why Tomball is the last on our list. Commuting to downtown and the Medical Center will take a fair bit of time (45 minutes each), and while going to the Galleria (40 minutes) and the Energy Corridor (35 minutes) will take faster, you will still need to set aside a chunk of time for the commute.
Tomball Employment
With the Energy Corridor being the nearest employment center to Tomball, the list of employers that Tomball residents have access to include McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, and Gulf States Toyota.
Tomball Public Schools
Notable top-rated schools in Tomball include Rosehill Elementary, Willow Wood Jr High, Tomball Memorial High School, Concordia Lutheran High School, St. Anne Catholic School, and Rosehill Christian School.
Tomball homes are zoned to the Tomball ISD.
Tomball Amenities
Tomball homes are minutes away from outdoor options such as the Tomball Country Club, a private club with an 18-hole golf course. For those who want to be closer to nature, Burroughs Park is a great place to unwind.
For retail options, residents can go to nearby Tomball Town Center, Tomball Marketplace, or Tomball Parkway Plaza.
Sources & Methodology
With all the available information out there about all the suburbs in Houston, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which suburb to choose. Get the advice of the best realtor in Houston and remove the guesswork when shopping for the best suburb to live in.
We created this list of best Houston suburbs to live in by looking at population centers above 10,000, both independent cities and suburban regions, that are within the city of Houston. Then we evaluated each location and gave it a letter grade (the HP Team Ranking) based on the following quantitative criteria:
- Walkability
- Commute Times (Google Maps)
- Accessibility to Major Employment and Business Hubs
- Quality of Public Schools (GreatSchools.org rates schools depending on standardized test scores. We included schools within 5 miles of each city/neighborhood with “above average” 8 to 10 star ratings. Find out more about GreatSchools’ methodology.1)
- Variety of Amenities
Each of these best Houston suburbs was graded on these items. The Houston suburbs list was then ranked from top to bottom based on their combined score. We included the 17 with the best score in our Top Houston Suburbs List.
Median home sale prices are based on single-family home sales from this year.
Median land value prices are based on both homes sold at lot value and lot sales.
5-year appreciation rates compare 2017 to 2021 year-to-date and are based on median sales price per square foot.
10-year appreciation rates compare 2012 to 2021 year-to-date and are based on median sales price per square foot.
Data is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. All source material from HAR MLS sold information.
Additional Sources:
http://www.greatschools.org/about/ratings.page
Best Realtors In The Suburbs
The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in his role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
Paige Martin, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, and the Houston Properties Team are ranked amongst the top residential Realtors in the world.
They have been featured on TV and in dozens of publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Reuters, Fox News in the Morning, Money Magazine, Houston Business Journal, Houstonia, and Houston Chronicle.
Paige Martin was just ranked as the #5 agent in the world with Keller Williams, and has completed over $1,000,000,000 in Houston residential real estate sales.
Recent awards include:
– 2021: America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2020: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2020: #6 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2020: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas (Top Keller Williams Realtor)
– 2020: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2019: Top Residential Realtors in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2019: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2019: #5 Individual Agent, KW Worldwide
– 2019: #1 Individual Agent, KW Texas
– 2018: #5 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2018: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2018: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2018: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2017: #10 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2017: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2017: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2017: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2016: #20 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2016: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2016: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
– 2016: Five Star Realtor, Featured in Texas Monthly
– 2016: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2015: #9 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, United States
– 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2015: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2015: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
– 2015: Five Star Realtor, Texas Monthly Magazine
– 2014: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2014: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams Memorial
. . . in addition to over 318 additional awards.
Paige also serves a variety of non-profits, civic and community boards and was appointed by Houston’s Mayor to be on the downtown TIRZ board.
Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team
Our Team, composed of distinguished and competent Houston luxury realtors, has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member.
We find team approach as the most effective way to sell homes. We have dedicated people doing staging, marketing, social media, open houses and showings. Each Houston Properties Team member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
The benefits of working with a team include:
- ability to be in two or three places at one time: a member can handle showings, while another answer calls
- collective time and experience of members
- targeted advise and marketing of agent expert in your area
- competitive advantage by simply having more resources, ideas, and more perspectives
- a “Checks and Balances” system. Selling and buying a home in Houston is an intensely complex process
- more people addressing field calls and questions from buyers and agents to facilitate a faster successful sale
- efficient multi-tasking: One agent takes care of inspections and/or repair work, while another agent is focused on administrative details
- multiple marketing channels using members’ networks
- constant attention: guaranteed focus on your home and your transaction
- lower risk for mistakes. Multiple moving parts increase oversights. A team approach handles these “parts” separately
- flexibility in negotiation and marketing
- better management of document flow
- increased foot traffic through more timely and effective showing schedule coordination; and
- increased Sphere of Influence and exposure to more potential buyers.
To meet all the award-winning members of The Houston Properties Team, please go here.
