Fulshear vs Katy: which is better to live in?
Fulshear gets A+ overall and Katy gets B-. Fulshear comes out ahead on our index.
Fulshear wins on cost of living, jobs and income, schools, safety, errands and things to do, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Katy wins on getting around.
Fulshear is the better pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.
Side by side
| Fulshear | Katy | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | A+ | B- |
| Population | 64,630 | 28,373 |
| Growth since 2020 | +297.3% | +29.7% |
| Median rent | $1,952 | $1,602 |
| Median home value | $572,700 | $401,700 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $3,968 | $2,799 |
| Median household income | $187,035 | $114,912 |
| Property tax per year | $10,000+ | $7,207 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 46 | 123 |
| Property crime per 100k | 224 | 2,967 |
| Schools rated A or B | 100% | 75% |
| Average commute | 38 min | 31 min |
| Work from home | 29% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 75% | 49% |
| Median age | 36.3 years | 37.6 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 116 | 112 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Very high | Very high |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Fulshear | Katy | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B- (59) | D+ (31) |
| Jobs and income | A+ (99) | C+ (50) |
| Schools | A+ (96) | B (72) |
| Safety | A+ (97) | C+ (51) |
| Errands and things to do | A+ (100) | D (21) |
| Getting around | F (2) | D (21) |
| Education levels | A+ (99) | B- (61) |
| Health | B+ (76) | B- (61) |
| Home ownership | A+ (98) | B (67) |
| Internet access | A- (82) | C (47) |
Cost of living
Katy is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Fulshear: a median of $1,952 a month, 22% higher than Katy's $1,602.
The median home is worth $572,700 in Fulshear and $401,700 in Katy. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $3,968 a month against $2,799, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.1 times income in Fulshear and 3.5 times in Katy.
Commute and location
Commutes average 38 minutes in Fulshear and 31 in Katy.
The two are about 8 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Fulshear has less violent crime. Fulshear reported 46 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Katy reported 123 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 100% of Fulshear's 8 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 75% of Katy's 12.
Common questions
Is Fulshear or Katy better to live in?
Fulshear grades higher overall (A+ vs B-). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Fulshear cheaper than Katy?
No. Katy has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Fulshear or Katy?
Fulshear, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.