Thinking of moving to the Houston metro? Space City has many great suburbs that offer fantastic outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and top-notch amenities. Consider living in one of these five best suburbs of Houston!
| Suburb | Katy | League City | Pearlandl | Sugar Land | The Woodlands |
| Median Home Price | $208,700 | $258,800 | $260,300 | $337,600 | $374,800 |
| Median Rent Price | $1,147 | $1,387 | $1,431 | $1,768 | $1,558 |
| Safer than % of Texas Cities | 30% | 71% | 66% | 67% | 61% |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 3.2% | 2.9% |
Katy
- Home Price: $208,700 median purchase price; $1,147 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 30% of Texas cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Katy, TX is considered one of the best places to live near Houston, in part due to its high-quality schools, family-friendly atmosphere, and easy access to Downtown Houston‘s amenities. Located less than 20 minutes from the Energy Corridor, Katy provides quick commutes to job opportunities at major Houston employers like American Petroleum Institute, bp, and Kiewit. Residents can also benefit from the great schools in Katy ISD—one of the top public school districts in the Houston area! As for housing, there are a variety of manicured, master-planned communities in the Greater Katy area, including Cinco Ranch and Cane Island. There’s also no end to options for restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in Katy, thanks to spots like the Katy Mills mall and fun local gatherings like the Katy Rice Festival. And parks in Katy like Mary Jo Peckham Park and the Katy Boardwalk District provide ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with hiking trails, fishing, and more!
Things to Do in Katy
Enjoy a scenic hike or bike ride through shaded trails while spotting native Texas wildlife at Mason Creek Park North Hike & Bike Trail. Explore the history of Katy through vintage artifacts and photographs of the area’s agricultural roots at the Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum. Cool off on hot summer days with the water slides, splash zones, lazy river, and other attractions at Typhoon Texas Waterpark. Belt your favorite tunes during karaoke, see live music performances, and attend themed dance parties at Wildcatter Saloon. Looking for some of the best restaurants in Katy? Dig into authentic Chinese cuisine like the Spicy and Numbing Pot, Orange Beef, or Sweet Garlic Eggplant at Tiger Noodle House. Sample Americana dishes with a Southern twist like the Grilled Bacon Wrapped Quail, Texas Gumbo, or Braised Short Rib at Pearl & Vine. Chow down the Katy Quinoa, ‘Crabby Patty’ Sandwich, or Shrimp & Grits at The Oaks Kitchen & Bar. Or stop in to sample craft beers like Gilley’s Blonde, El Hefe Hefeweizen, or Cali Boy West Coast IPA, and enjoy a rotating selection of Katy food trucks and vendors at No Label Brewing Co.
League City
- Home Price: $258,800 median purchase price; $1,387 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of Texas cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
Looking to live close to both the Houston metro and the water? Consider moving to League City! Both Clear Creek and Clear Lake act as a border for this Houston suburb, providing plenty of scenic spots for trail walking or biking, as well as water activities like canoeing and fishing. Additionally, League City’s convenient location between Houston and Galveston means that residents can take advantage of both big city amenities and beach access! Residents of this Houston suburb can also find a large selection of affordable homes, ranging from updated ranch-style houses to large brick estates. And for those who prefer to avoid the Houston commute, several major employers offer solid jobs in League City and nearby areas, including MD Anderson Cancer Center and nearby University of Houston-Clear Lake—with the latter also providing a convenient option for grad and undergrad students.
Things to Do in League City
Tour Independence Plaza, look at suits once worn in space, or learn about what it takes to get to Mars at Space Center Houston. Spend the day in the League City Historical Society, where you can visit the one-room schoolhouse, attend events like the Punkin’ Parade, or explore the shops in Founder’s Square. Enjoy views of scenery and wildlife while riding your canoe or paddleboard at popular League City park, Clear Creek Paddle Trail. Check out the bird sanctuary or go fishing while taking in views of Clear Creek at Challenger Seven Memorial Park. Don’t forget to sample the best League City restaurants! Fill up on Biscuits & Gravy, Breakfast Tacos, or a Breakfast Veggie Panini at Red Oak Cafe. Take a seat on the rooftop deck and dig into Grilled Oysters, Chicken on Fire, or Steak Diane at League City bistro, Opus Bistro & Steakhouse. Order authentic Greek and Lebanese dishes like Baba Ganoush, Eggplant Moussaka, or Lamb Shank at Cafe Petra. Or try different flavors of shaved ice like the Black Cherry, Mint Cream, or White Coconut at Kahuna Joe’s.
Pearland
- Home Price: $260,300 median purchase price; $1,431 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Texas cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Located on the southern end of the Greater Houston Metro, Pearland is a friendly community with a small-town vibe. This Houston suburb is known for its budget-friendly homes and highly-rated schools in the Pearland ISD, but it’s not all quiet suburban life here! Residents can meet their neighbors and find entertainment with fun community events like the annual Pearland Crawfish Festival and the Pear Run. The city also offers a variety of great restaurants, championship golf courses like Golfcrest Country Club, and local parks like Independence Park—a popular spot for family-friendly activities in Pearland, from exploring the playground to practicing doubles on the tennis courts. Need to commute into Houston for work? Not a problem! Pearland is located just a 30-minute drive away from Downtown Houston.
Things to Do in Pearland
Shop at stores like Bath & Body Works, Dillard’s, Francesca’s, and more at Pearland Town Center. Spend the day birdwatching for species like the great blue heron, snowy egret, and roseate spoonbill, or hit the trails at John Hargrove Environmental Complex. Toss a frisbee back and forth, have a picnic, or walk your dog at Centennial Park. Sign the kids up for acting camp, or attend plays and musicals like A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story, The Play That Goes Wrong, or American Son at the Pearl Theater. Grab a Kolache or Strawberry Crunch Donut and a Cappuccino from Golden Donuts. Savor Mediterranean food in Pearland like Grape Leaves, the Falafel Wrap, or the Lamb Kabob Platter at Arabella Mediterranean Kitchen + Grill. Head to Grazia Italian Kitchen for hearty Italian dishes like Margherita Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana, and Fettuccine Alfredo. Or order a Baja Burger or Bacon Grilled Chicken with a Chocolate Shake at Jax Burgers.
Sugar Land
- Home Price: $337,600 median purchase price; $1,768 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Texas cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
About half an hour southwest of Space City, you’ll find one of the safest suburbs of Houston: Sugar Land. There’s plenty to love about this small city, including its safe neighborhoods, parks and trails, and strong sense of community—and that’s just the start! Residents can find job opportunities at top companies in Sugar Land, including Imperial Sugar, Tramontina USA, Inc., CVR Energy, and more. There’s also a wide range of options for homes in Sugar Land, from modern apartments to stunning houses and spacious estates within the area’s master-planned communities—all surrounded by great schools in Fort Bend ISD and Lamar CISD. Plus, this Texas city offers lots to do for every age and interest—from opportunities for shopping in Sugar Land at Sugar Land Town Square, Market at Town Center, and First Colony Mall to kid-friendly attractions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center!
Things to Do in Sugar Land
Set up a picnic or test your nature photography skills with over 750 acres of prairie and woodlands at Cullinan Park. Sing along to some of the biggest names in music—like Alicia Keys, TLC, and the Goo Goo Dolls—at Smart Financial Centre. Sign up for private figure skating lessons, or go ice skating with the whole family at Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center. Watch the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (MiLB) hit a home run at Constellation Field. Order Japanese and Latin-infused dishes like the Paradise Roll, Tempura Dinner, or Chicken Sarten at Japaneiro’s, one of the best places to eat in Sugar Land. Stop by Jupiter Pizza & Waffle Co. for Cowboy Jack Pizza, Dulce De Leche Waffles, or the Morning Belle. Treat yourself to sauteed Chinese dishes like Beef with Broccoli, Chili Chicken, or Manchurian Fish at Alings Chinese Bistro. Or try the Ultimate Beef Tacos or Crispy Seafood Burrito with a side of Tsunami Fries at Pacific Coast Tacos.
The Woodlands
- Home Price: $374,800 median purchase price; $1,558 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Texas cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Want to live in one of the nicest suburbs of Houston and be close to great outdoor recreation? Check out The Woodlands, about 30 minutes north of Houston! Founded in 1974, this planned community has housing options ranging from Craftsman-style homes to large brick houses. Since the city was built around thousands of tree-filled acres, it’s no surprise that you can find more than 200 miles of parks and trails in The Woodlands. Residents in this Texas suburb can enjoy its 151 parks, shopping areas, and access to highly-rated schools in The Woodlands from districts like Conroe ISD, Magnolia ISD, or Tomball ISD. Plus, those looking for healthcare job opportunities have access to major hospitals in the area, including The Woodlands locations of Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Health, and Memorial Hermann Medical Center.
Things to Do in The Woodlands
Get tickets to see musicians like Lindsey Stirling, Pitbull, and Brad Paisley perform at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Watch fairytales come to life on Play-a-Long Pavilion Stage, learn about science in the STEAM Exhibit, and more at The Woodlands Children’s Museum. Find the latest fashion trends at stores like Anthropologie, Nordstrom, or Urban Outfitters at The Woodlands Mall. Spend the afternoon hiking or biking the trails, fishing, picnicking, and more at George Mitchell Nature Preserve. Go to brunch at The Kitchen, where you can get Avocado Toast, the Tex Mex Tower, or a Classic Ham & Cheese Benedict. Sample the Crab Cakes, Grilled Tacos, or the half-pound Republic Burger at The Republic Grille—one of the best restaurants in The Woodlands. Savor delicious Asian dishes like Coconut Flavor Honey Chicken, Szechuan Style Sauteed Shrimp, or Kung Pao Tofu at China Bridge. Or enjoy classic Cajun food in The Woodlands with dishes like Jambalaya, Lobster Ravioli, or Fried Calamari at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
