Top 10 Houston Suburbs

Houston has it all—museums, culture, excellent food, the zoo, a world-class symphony, more museums, theater… did we mention the museums?

But what if you want all those amenities without the hustle and bustle of the city? You might actually want to look a few miles away. That’s right, we’re talking suburbs.

We examined Houston’s suburbs in terms of amenities, standard of living, crime data, unemployment rate, and commute time to determine the 10 best suburbs.

1. Richmond

richmond_texas

Key Stats:

  • Total Crimes per 100k: 1,951
  • Unemployment rate: 5.3 percent
  • Commute time: 24 minutes

Richmond is growing steadily—and for good reason. It’s safe, the residents are well employed, and it’s only a quick drive to Houston.

One of the most up and coming areas in Richmond is Aliana, a huge master-planned community. Other areas include Hillcrest, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the area, and Winston Terrace.

Overall, the crime rate in Richmond is well below average.

2. Sugar Land

sugarland_texas

Key Stats:

  • Median household income: $104,702
  • Median home value: $258,000
  • Total Crimes per 100k: 2,062

Sugar Land is known as one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., and it’s growing each year.

Why are so many people attracted to Sugar Land? For one, it’s just a quick commute to Houston, where many residents work, and two, it has the best standard of living out of anywhere in the area, and three, well, it’s just a great place to call home.

Sugar Land plays host to numerous concerts, festivals, and events throughout the year, and it’s one of the greenest communities in the area, not just with its parks but also with its recycling program. In addition, the construction of a new arts and entertainment venue known as the Ace Center will be “a boon for business.”

We recommend home buyers check out the master-planned communities of Greatwood, Telfair, and New Territory.

3. Katy

katy-texas

Key Stats:

  • Amenities: 2,163
  • Unemployment rate: 5.5 percent
  • Commute time: 27 minutes

If you’re thinking about moving to Katy, you certainly aren’t the only one. This community is one of the fastest-growing in the area.

The schools here are top notch, the amenities (including over 500 restaurants) can’t be beat, and the list of things to do is ever expanding.

Katy is also growing in terms of business, with oil and gas companies expanding into the area.

If you’re looking for a nice master-planned community, we recommend taking a look at Cinco Ranch.

4. The Woodlands

the_woodlands_texas

Key Stats:

  • Median household income: $106,286
  • Median home value: $278,000
  • Total Crimes per 100k: 1,403
  • Unemployment rate: 4.6 percent

The Woodlands is known far and wide as one of the nicest, and wealthiest, communities in Texas—and that was even before Exxonmobil moved their entire operations there.

Now, it’s growing even more and more popular, and more and more prosperous.

Don’t worry, though, this family-friendly community is not just about oil and gas. In fact, you’ll be so busy ogling at the luxurious homes, the tree-lined streets, and the sheer picture perfect beauty of The Woodlands, you’ll hardly remember that Exxonmobil is here.

5. Oak Ridge North

oak_ridge_north

Key Stats:

  • Median household income: $96,818
  • Median rent: $1,632
  • Crime per 100k: 969
  • Unemployment rate: 5 percent

Oak Ridge North’s motto is “What a Hometown Should Be,” and we really couldn’t agree more. It’s the kind of small community where kids can still safely run around their neighborhoods or walk to school.

Sure, Oak Ridge North doesn’t have many amenities, but it’s the safest places in the area, it’s charming, it’s well kept, and it’s close to Houston, where there are literally thousands of amenities. It really is the best of both worlds.

6. Manvel

manvel_texas

Key Stats:

  • Amenities: 355
  • Median rent: $1,342
  • Unemployment rate: 4.8 percent
  • Crimes per 100k: 1,818

Manvel may have one of the higher rent prices in the Houston area, but the way we see it, that’s just a good indication of a strong rental market.

So why are so many people looking to live in Manvel? Well, first of all, it has everything you need. From gyms and spas to restaurants and date night options, Manvel has plenty going on. And once you’ve done all of the 350 things to do there, you can just head to Houston—it’s just about half an hour away.

It also has the second lowest unemployment rate in the entire Houston area, so you can feel pretty safe, not just because of the low crime rate, but in finding and keeping a job.

 

7. Pearland

pearland_texas

Key Stats:

  • Median household income: $92,346
  • Median home price: $179,400
  • Total Crimes per 100k: 2,118
  • Unemployment rate: 4.9 percent

Pearland is one of the fastest growing communities in the Houston area, jumping from a population of just about 19,000 to about nearly 100,000 in the past two decades alone.

The reason so many people want to live in Pearland isn’t just its close proximity to Houston—it’s the affordable housing, excellent schools, low crime rate, and high median income. According to the city’s website, Pearland is on its way to becoming the next major employment center in the Houston area.

So whether you’re looking to start a business or a family, Pearland surely has something that will meet your needs.

8. League City

league_city_texas

Key Stats:

  • Median home value: $176,000
  • Median household income: $89,339
  • Unemployment rate: 5.5 percent

If you’re looking for a community that stands on its own, apart from Houston, League City might just be the place for you—especially if you love the great outdoors. There are four marinas in League City and the third largest concentration of recreational boats in the country.

If you aren’t much of a boater, there are three beautiful golf courses in the area and about 20 parks. For those who aren’t nature lovers, there are even two museums, the Butler Longhorn Museum & Heritage Park and the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum.

9. Friendswood

freindswood_texas

Key Stats:

  • Median household income: $99,365
  • Median home value: $226,600
  • Median rent: $1,148
  • Total Crimes per 100k: 1,152

This wealthy Houston suburb is the perfect place to either start a family, a business, or both. Not only do residents typically make a higher income than most in the area, but in general, more of them are employed.

That’s because Friendswood has a vibrant business-friendly atmosphere. There are office buildings and shopping centers throughout the community, with new ones popping up every day.

Don’t worry, though, you’ll feel worlds away from the booming business center of Friendswood as soon as you return home. The houses here are mostly single-family residences surrounded by trees—an almost park-like setting. For a newer home, you can head to one of Friendswoods’ master-planned communities, or, for something a bit more classic, like a resale home, head to one of Friendswood’s many subdivisions.

10. Stafford

stafford_texas

Key Stats:

  • Amenities: 3,216
  • Unemployment rate: 5.5 percent
  • Commute time: 26 minutes

Here’s something unique about Stafford: it doesn’t have any property tax. Yes, you read that correctly.

If you’re not already packing your bags to head to Stafford, you should also know that it’s known as an “Island of Business Opportunity” and was once even called “a Shangri-La for property owners” by “The Wall Street Journal.”

Perhaps that’s why there are so many businesses in Stafford—well over 3,000 for its population of just under 18,000 people—and ultimately, why people are so well employed.

Make A Home Near Houston

If you’ve ever dreamed about living in or around Houston, just get in touch. We’ll find you your Houston house—all you’ll have to do is make it a home.