11 Best Houston Suburbs (2024)

By: ROS Team

Houston, Texas is a city of diversity, great food and art. The largest city in Texas and fourth largest in the US, it’s a hotbed of activity and opportunity.

But not everyone wants to be in the thick of it. For those who want a quieter life with access to all Houston has to offer, the suburbs are the way to go.

If you’re moving, check out our list of the best Houston suburbs 2024 to find your new home.

Our Methodology

We rated the best suburbs in the Houston area by looking at a variety of factors to get a full picture of each place. Here’s how we chose and ranked them:

Population and Demographics: We included small towns and larger communities to suit different tastes.

Affordability: Median home prices and rents were analyzed to assess the affordability of living in each suburb.

Crime Rates: We prioritized safety, using crime rates compared to the national average to identify secure neighborhoods.

Education: School quality was a key factor, including ratings, extracurricular options, and access to higher education institutions.

Amenities: We reviewed recreational opportunities, parks, shopping, dining, cultural events, and unique attractions in each suburb.

Job Opportunities: Employment prospects were evaluated based on local industries, major employers, and proximity to job hubs like Houston.

Livability Rankings: We cross-referenced data with trusted sources like Niche.com and Livability.com to validate rankings and ensure accuracy.

Best Suburbs of Houston, TX

Fulshear

Population: 16,856

Median Home Price: $521,655

Median Rent: $1,473

Crime Rate: 74% lower than the national average

Fulshear is the fastest growing city in Texas and also the best Houston suburb to live in. The 2023 census estimates the city’s projected population is 43,317. Small town charm and close to major metro areas, Fulshear offers the best of both worlds. The real estate market is hot with median home prices higher than the national average. Low crime rate makes it a great place for families and diverse amenities and booming job market makes it even more appealing.

Education

Fulshear is served by Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) and Katy Independent School District (KISD) so your kids will have great educational opportunities. The schools in these districts get high ratings so you can be sure of a quality education from elementary to high school.

Amenities

Fulshear has plenty of recreational activities. Fulshear City Park where you can have a picnic or play a game of frisbee. The Texas Renaissance Festival, a big annual event, brings in visitors from all over the area every fall.

For water lovers, Katy Lake has fishing, boating and kayaking. Local attractions like The Italian Maid Cafe, Fulshear Farmers’ Market, Anthonies Market Grill and Pepperoni’s Pizza make for a fun local culture and dining scene.

Job Opportunities

Fulshear has a great job market with an income per capita 80% higher than the national average and a median household income 194% higher than the national average. So it’s a great community with lots of job opportunities. And being close to Houston just adds to the job market, so it’s perfect for professionals who want suburban living and access to the city’s big employers.

Cinco Ranch

Population: 16,899

Median Home Price: $535,921

Median Rent: $1,400

Crime Rate: 52% lower than the national average

Cinco Ranch is #1 in Niche’s Best Places to Live in Texas and is a highly sought after suburb with a family friendly atmosphere and lots of amenities. It’s popular for its luxurious houses and the mix of outdoor spaces, recreational options and safety with a crime rate 52% lower than the national average.

Education

Cinco Ranch is zoned to great schools so it’s perfect for families. The school district is known for its tough academics and great extracurriculars.

Amenities

Cinco Ranch has lots of amenities for everyone. 11 pools (all alcohol and tobacco free), 94 parks, a water park and 50 miles of trails to hike or bike.

For sports lovers there are 17 tennis and pickleball courts, 4 golf clubs and a private beach club.

Job Opportunities

Cinco Ranch is close to the Energy Corridor so it’s great for energy professionals. There’s also a strong job market in many industries so you can work close to home.

The Woodlands

Population: 120,000

Median Home Price: $304,814

Median Rent: $1,344

Crime Rate: 46% lower than the national average

The Woodlands is a master-planned community 27 miles north of downtown Houston with a population of 120,000. Developed in 1974 by George P. Mitchell this community has natural beauty and a sense of community. Median home price is $304,814 making it affordable and desirable. Crime rate is 46% lower than the national average so it’s a safe place to raise a family.

Education

The Woodlands has over 30 preschools, multiple top rated public and private schools and higher education through Lone Star College and Sam Houston State University all within the community.

Amenities

The Woodlands has many amenities including 151 parks and 220 miles of hike and bike trails. Residents have 7 championship golf courses, 7,665 acres of green space and 200 acre Lake Woodlands for plenty of recreational opportunities.

Each village in The Woodlands has its own shopping center so everything you need is just a short drive or walk away.

Job Opportunities

The Woodlands is home to several major companies so it’s a hub for employment in many industries. Some of the notable employers are Woodforest National Bank, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, McKesson Corporation, Tetra Technologies and Huntsman Corporation.

League City

Population: 114,392

Median Home Price: $367,083

Median Rent: $1,293

Crime Rate: 40% lower than the national average

League City, a waterfront community near Clear Lake and Galveston Bay, offers a quiet lifestyle with Houston just 30 miles away. With a population of 114,392, League City has the charm of a small town and the amenities of a big city.

Education

Kids in League City attend schools in the Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts, both top rated and offer a lot of extracurricular activities.

Higher education options are plentiful too, with nearby colleges like University of Houston Clear Lake, Rice University, San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland offering many programs and degrees.

Amenities

League City has plenty of amenities. South Shore Harbor Resort and Conference Center and Waterford Harbor and Yacht Club Marina are just a couple of the waterfront resorts. Space Center Houston, a top Houston area attraction and visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center is just a short drive away.

Locals and visitors have boutiques, gardens, museums and dining options, especially in the Historic District, making it a great place to live and visit.

Job Opportunities

League City draws professionals from all over the country with low unemployment and many job opportunities. The area is particularly strong in medical, energy, aerospace, marine and petrochemical industries so many career choices for residents.

Montgomery

Population: 1,948

Median Home Price: $387,361

Median Rent: $1,294

Crime Rate: 33% lower than the national average

Montgomery is one of the oldest towns in Texas and has a mix of history and modern suburban living. With a population of 1,948 this little town is nestled between the Sam Houston National Forest, Lake Conroe and downtown Houston.

It has a small town feel but has access to the amenities and job opportunities of The Woodlands and Houston so it’s a great option for those who want rural peace and mind with suburban conveniences.

Education

Montgomery ISD serves around 8,800 students across 10 campuses and is one of the top 13 districts in the Houston area. Known for small class sizes, strong academics and great extracurriculars Montgomery ISD is highly rated on Niche.com for safety and education.

Amenities

Montgomery has plenty of recreational amenities including the 27-hole championship golf course at Woodforest Golf Club, 16 acre tennis and aquatics center and 700 acres of parks and recreational areas.

The town has 13.5 miles of walking trails for residents to enjoy.

Job Opportunities

Montgomery may be a small town but it has solid job opportunities in key areas. Major employers include Bethyl Laboratories, Delta SubSea LLC, WellBenders and Montgomery ISD.

Sugar Land

Population: 118,563

Median Home Price: $443,525

Median Rent: $1,318

Crime Rate: 27% lower than the national average

Sugar Land is one of the wealthiest and fastest growing cities in Texas with a population of 118,563. Sugar Land has grown over 40% since 2010. This suburb is one of the best places to live in the US with suburban living, lots of job opportunities and top amenities.

Education

Sugar Land has education options for all. Wharton County Junior College branch campus and University of Houston branch campus are located here. And the city’s public schools are part of the highly rated Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) so kids have access to great education.

Amenities

Sugar Land has plenty of amenities for residents and families and professionals. A world class baseball park and natural history museum.

Residents and visitors can enjoy great entertainment at The Smart Financial Centre, a venue that hosts A-list performers.

For shoppers, Sugar Land has over 30 shopping centers including First Colony Mall which is over 1 million sq ft and has Macy’s, Dillard’s, Coach, Fossil and Michael Kors.

Job Opportunities

Sugar Land has a big presence in the energy industry, especially in petroleum exploration and refining. Major employers are Imperial Sugar headquarters and Schlumberger which was the 2nd largest employer in the city as of 2015.

Pearland

Population: 125,828

Median Home Price: $375,124

Median Rent: $1,338

Crime Rate: 22% lower than the national average

Pearland has a population of 125,828 and is a fast growing suburb with affordable housing, great schools and a high quality of life. Pearland grew 142% from 2000 to 2010 and was the 15th fastest growing city in the US during that time.

Being 20 minutes from downtown Houston makes it a great choice for families and professionals.

Education

Pearland has a great focus on education so it’s a great option for families. Almost 50% of the residents have a bachelor’s degree and the city has top rated schools and over 60 regional colleges including the University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland campus.

Amenities

The city features the Delores Fenwick Nature Center, Melvin Knapp Activity Center, Miracle Field, Recreation Center & Natatorium, Veterans Sports Complex, and the West Pearland Community Center.

Job Opportunities

The job market in Pearland has exploded with the workforce growing from 9,169 in 2000 to 17,552 in 2008. By 2010 the labor force was 45,368 with many residents commuting to the Texas Medical Center, NASA and other regional employment centers.

Nassau Bay

Population: 5,347

Median Home Price: $358,640

Median Rent: $1,388

Crime Rate: 11% lower than the national average

Nassau Bay was founded as a community for Johnson Space Center employees, astronauts and their families so it’s no surprise it has a space exploration history. Over 60 of its residents have gone to space and some have walked on the moon.

Today it’s a quaint suburb with a safe and peaceful environment. With median home price of $358,640 and crime rate 11% lower than the national average, Nassau Bay offers a small town feel with modern amenities and family friendly events.

Education

Nassau Bay is served by the Clear Creek Independent School District, where many schools are A rated or better.

Amenities

Nassau Bay residents enjoy outdoor recreation with 5 parks and a natural wetland area on the Peninsula with a newly installed Nature Trail. The city hosts family friendly events including the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow at Ellington Airport which features aircraft displays and demonstrations.

Job Opportunities

Nassau Bay has great job opportunities, especially with Houston Methodist, known for their benefits, growth and positive work environment. The city is also one of Houston’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, for its strong job market and professional appeal.

Richmond

Population: 11,627

Median Home Price: $383,563

Median Rent: $1,322

Crime Rate: Same as the national average

Richmond is a beautiful little gem on the Brazos River. The suburb offers a small town feel with big town amenities and has a population of just over 11,000. Kayaking on the river, exploring historic sites like Morton Cemetery and the Decker Park Heritage Site, or just enjoying the local food scene, there’s something for everyone.

The Crawfish Festival is a fun addition to the community calendar and the median home price of $383,563 is a great balance of affordability and quality of life.

Education

The suburb is served by the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District with 48 schools, many of which are above average.

Amenities

Nature lovers will enjoy the Brazos River Park, a great spot for kayaking, picnicking and bird watching. The area has many historical sites like Morton Cemetery and the Decker Park Heritage Site to explore. Foodies will love dining at restaurants like Lopez.

Job Opportunities

Richmond has diverse job opportunities across many industries with major employers like OakBend Medical Center, Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Walmart, Houston Methodist – Sugar Land Hospital and Nalco Champion. It’s a great place to work in healthcare, retail and energy.

Katy

Population: 21,894

Median Home Price: $345,038

Median Rent: $1,228

Crime Rate: Slightly higher than the national average

Katy has small town charm with big city convenience, perfect for families and professionals. 30 miles west of Houston, Katy is the hub of Harris, Waller and Fort Bend counties.

Katy is famous for its history, seen in landmarks like the MKT Railroad Museum and Historic Katy Shops, and community spirit, seen in events like Katy Market Days and Music Under the Stars.

Education

Katy ISD serves Katy residents, one of the top school districts in the country. Academic excellence is the top priority in Katy.

Amenities

Families and nature lovers will love Katy’s parks, including Mary Jo Peckham Park, Willow Fork Park and Exploration Park. For shopping and dining, LaCenterra has local boutiques and restaurants.

Katy has many events, like Food Truck Friday in Cinco Ranch, making it a close knit community.

Job Opportunities

Katy’s location has attracted big employers like BP America, Shell Exploration and Production, Amazon, Igloo Corporation and Katy Mills Mall.

Conroe

Population: 103,035

Median Home Price: $322,719

Median Rent: $968

Crime Rate: Slightly higher than the national average

Conroe, Texas is the fastest growing city in the state and strikes a perfect balance of natural beauty and urban excitement. 40 miles north of Houston, Conroe has starry nights and city life. From downtown to Lake Conroe, this city is a draw for families and professionals.

Education

Conroe residents have plenty of education options. The area is served by the Lone Star College System with all its resources and programs. The Catholic University of St. Thomas opened a campus in Conroe in 2020 so you have higher education options close to home.

Amenities

Nature lovers will love Lake Conroe and the nearby national forests for hiking, fishing and boating. Downtown Conroe is the city’s entertainment hub with breweries, theaters, boutique shopping and live music venues. Being named a “Music Friendly Community” by the state of Texas shows off its arts and entertainment scene.

Job Opportunities

Conroe’s job market is strong with major employers like Conroe Independent School District, Montgomery County, Conroe Regional Medical Center and the City of Conroe. The city is a great place for career minded individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston a Liberal City?

Houston leans liberal, particularly in its urban core, but its surrounding suburbs and outlying areas tend to be more conservative, creating a politically diverse region.

Why Is Houston So Popular?

Houston is popular for its affordability, cultural diversity, strong job market, and attractions like its theater district, museums, and food scene.

What Is Houston Texas Like?

Houston is a sprawling, bustling city with a mix of urban excitement and southern charm. It’s known for its hot, humid climate and welcoming, diverse population.