With just over two million residents, Houston, Texas, is largest city in the Lone Star State, and fourth largest in the country. People from all over the world are drawn to the city’s renowned theatre and museum districts, appreciation for delicious cuisine, and incredibly diverse population.
But not everyone is interested in the excitement and fast-paced nature of big city life. For those thinking of moving to Houston, there are plenty of nearby suburbs that grant easy access to city life without feeling like you need to live in city proper. If that sounds like you, check out the top Houston suburbs:
#10 – Pecan Grove
- Population: 15,963
- Median Home Value: $232,500
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 36 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,207
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 210
Coming in at number 10 on our list is Pecan Grove, roughly 30 miles southwest from Houston city limits. This affluent community has over 2,000 homes and continues to grow, adding new homes as recently as 2018. With multiple shopping centers and eateries nearby, there’s plenty to do in Pecan Grove. With access to both Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD, families in this community have access to some of the best schools in the state.
#9 – Katy
- Population: 19,216
- Median Home Value: $192,300
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 32 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 560
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 49
Immediately west of Houston is the ninth best suburb in the area: Katy. With nine major green spaces bordered by high tech entertainment centers and high-end shopping centers, this city cohesively combines city entertainment with rural greenery. Katy hosts community events at least once a month, and offers free admission to four museums within city limits.
Families will be thrilled to have access to Katy ISD schools, which includes 70 different campuses. More than 300 new homes are available in Katy, making it highly probable that you’ll find the perfect home.
#8 – Pearland
- Population: 122,149
- Median Home Value: $224,600
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 33 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,841
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 118
Bordering Houston to the south is Pearland, the largest suburb on our list. This fast-growing city is host to strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and new, affordable housing. Enjoy plenty of parks and outdoor activities, a range of worship centers, and historic sites in a city that has mastered the small-town feel without the small population.
With more than 200 new home communities, your dream home is waiting for you in Pearland.
#7 – Webster
- Population: 11,201
- Median Home Value: $159,600
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 23 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 774
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47
About a 30-minute drive southeast of Houston is Webster. With trampoline parks, escape rooms, and an indoor golfing center all within city limits, kids – and kids at heart – will never run out of recreational activities! Enjoy local dining and a welcoming community, and take advantage of being close to both the vibrancy of Houston and the calm – and relatively clean – Galveston waters.
Browse all the new neighborhoods in Webster and the surrounding area.
#6 – Tomball
- Population: 11,761
- Median Home Value: $257,100
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 27 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 180
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 21
Tomball is perfect for those wanting to raise a family in an area where everyone knows everyone, and the small-town vibe is never taken for granted. Spend time at the weekly farmer’s market, enjoy antique shopping, or celebrate local artists at the art gallery. When it’s time for lunch, head over to Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue for a truly unique dining experience.
With many wonderful new communities waiting for you; find your perfect home in Tomball today!
#5 – Cinco Ranch
- Population: 18,274
- Median Home Value: $362,100
- Mean travel Time to Work: 34 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 966
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 168
Easing us into the top five is Cinco Ranch, 30-minutes west of Houston. This affluent area is known for its upscale shopping, reputable public schools, and involved community. You’ll always see friendly faces milling about in Cinco Ranch, not to mention plenty of entertainment.
#4 – Friendswood
- Population: 40,181
- Median Home Value: $263,000
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 33 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 332
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 34
When people think of suburban Texas living, Friendswood is the kind of community that comes to mind. Students can enroll at Friendswood ISD for a quality education; employment opportunities abound in healthcare, customer service, and administration; and on the weekends, the whole family can kick back and enjoy a round of golf and an afternoon at the spa. The traditional values that established Friendswood in in the late 1800s are still alive and well today.
Plenty of new home communities in Friendswood are awaiting your visit. Check out the virtual tours and listing information for all the new homes in Friendswood today!
#3 – The Woodlands
- Population: 93,847
- Median Home Value: $361,500
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 31 minutes
- School Rating: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,089
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 189
If you’re at all familiar with the greater Houston area, you’ve undoubtedly heard of The Woodlands; if you haven’t, it’s a treat waiting to be discovered. Originally a master planned community, this once-small community has attracted homeowners for decades with its plentiful employment opportunities, entertainment venues, and high-class shopping centers and eateries. You will find an assortment of private and public school options, and community events year round that are geared to keeping families engaged.
This prosperous and growing community has an ample collection of new homes to choose from, and with all the amenities you could ask for, it’s easy to see why The Woodlands ranks so high on the list. Browse all the new neighborhoods in The Woodlands and the surrounding area.
#2 – Sugar Land
- Population: 118,600
- Median Home Value: $309,000
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,537
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 82
Live music? Check. Great food? Check. Traffic boxes jazzed up by local artists? Yup, Sugar Land has that, too. Just half an hour southwest of Houston proper, this thriving city is the ideal locale for people in all walks of life, from young professionals to retirees. Its home to the Smart Financial Center, a new 200,000 square foot entertainment venue that attracts big names like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Grant.
More than 40 builders are actively constructing thousands of new homes in the Sugar Land area. With plenty to do and lots of resources, there’s no reason to wait: Find your new home in Sugar Land!
#1 – Seabrook
- Population: 14,291
- Median Home Value: $232,600
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 27 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 144
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 25
Topping the list of best suburbs around Houston is Seabrook, a waterfront city about 40 minutes southeast of the main city. With high-caliber public schools, waterside engagement like boating and fishing, and year-round access to Kemah Boardwalk (an old-fashioned amusement park), it’s pretty obvious why Seabrook residents love where they live.
Browse all the new neighborhoods in Webster and the surrounding area.
Additional Suburbs
| Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna Plantation | 13,721 | $330,200 | 38 | A | 966 | 168 |
| Deer Park | 33,931 | $159,500 | 24 | A- | 492 | 30 |
| Conroe | 87,654 | $177,700 | 28 | A- | 2183 | 219 |
| Missouri City | 74,705 | $180,800 | 30 | A- | 815 | 102 |
| League City | 106,244 | $232,500 | 30 | A- | 1814 | 109 |
| Atascocita | 65,844 | $186,800 | 34 | A- | 2111 | 367 |
| Four Corners | 12,382 | $171,000 | 35 | A- | 2380 | 413 |
| Bellaire | 18,966 | $838,800 | 24 | B+ | 265 | 26 |
| Angleton | 19,565 | $114,300 | 26 | B+ | 241 | 32 |
| La Porte | 35,423 | $138,300 | 26 | B+ | 457 | 65 |
| Pasadena | 153,219 | $117,400 | 26 | B+ | 3467 | 679 |
| Richmond | 12,033 | $153,600 | 28 | B+ | 255 | 46 |
| West University Place | 15,676 | $1,055,000 | 21 | B | 111 | 2 |
| Clute | 11,682 | $102,800 | 19 | B | 290 | 39 |
| Lake Jackson | 27,533 | $167,000 | 20 | B | 553 | 50 |
| Baytown | 77,024 | $111,800 | 24 | B | 2911 | 302 |
| Rosenberg | 38,061 | $142,700 | 28 | B | 615 | 167 |
| Alvin | 26,827 | $139,900 | 33 | B | 467 | 57 |
| Fresno | 19,069 | $161,200 | 36 | B | 241 | 77 |
| Mission Bend | 35,501 | $135,300 | 34 | B | 3032 | 527 |
| Cloverleaf | 22,942 | $107,900 | 29 | B | 3339 | 580 |
| Stafford | 18,312 | $172,500 | 24 | B- | 338 | 72 |
| Galena Park | 10,931 | $73,400 | 25 | B- | 156 | 29 |
| Texas City | 49,153 | $111,200 | 23 | B- | 1489 | 236 |
| Jacinto City | 10,625 | $77,500 | 25 | B- | 232 | 17 |
| Dickinson | 20,881 | $154,100 | 30 | B- | 410 | 44 |
| Humble | 16,041 | $122,200 | 25 | B- | 1562 | 145 |
| Freeport | 12,195 | $75,700 | 16 | C+ | 160 | 50 |
| Galveston | 50,457 | $170,100 | 19 | C+ | 1539 | 265 |
| Channelview | 38,389 | $110,000 | 28 | C+ | 1119 | 203 |
| Spring | 54,298 | $146,900 | 36 | C+ | 799 | 107 |
| South Houston | 17,583 | $92,500 | 32 | C+ | 422 | 73 |
| Santa Fe | 13,509 | $175,900 | 30 | C | 171 | 17 |
| Aldine | 15,869 | $84,900 | 31 | C | 3356 | 583 |
| La Marque | 16,786 | $104,700 | 25 | C- | 904 | 73 |
The City with No Limits
With so many highly-desirable suburbs encircling the city, Houston truly has no limits. Keep the best of both worlds with these suburban surrounds that are perfect for growing families who want peace and quiet but enjoy a busy weekend in the city every now and then.
Of course, there’s a chance after reading this you may be realizing suburb life isn’t for you. Don’t worry; there are plenty of new home communities in Houston proper!
For more information on the home-buying process, visit the NewHomeSource Learn Center.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Other Houston Area Resources
Mia Zozobrado joined Builders Digital Experience (BDX) in 2019 as a content writer. A graduate of Southwestern University with a degree in English, Mia is passionate about the written word and making connections. Outside of work, Mia also serves on the Board of Directors for the Writers’ League of Texas.
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