Katy vs Mission Bend: which is better to live in?
Katy gets B- overall and Mission Bend gets C-. Katy comes out ahead on our index.
Katy wins on cost of living, jobs and income, schools, getting around, education levels and health. Mission Bend wins on errands and things to do, home ownership and internet access.
Katy suits retirees and people on a budget better, while Mission Bend suits remote workers better.
Side by side
| Katy | Mission Bend | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B- | C- |
| Population | 28,373 | 36,586 |
| Growth since 2020 | +29.7% | n/a |
| Median rent | $1,602 | $1,747 |
| Median home value | $401,700 | $233,800 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,799 | $1,582 |
| Median household income | $114,912 | $67,282 |
| Property tax per year | $7,207 | $3,632 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 123 | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | 2,967 | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 75% | 63% |
| Average commute | 31 min | 32 min |
| Work from home | 18% | 10.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 49% | 24% |
| Median age | 37.6 years | 35.3 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 112 | 112 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Very high | Very high |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Katy | Mission Bend | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (31) | D+ (25) |
| Jobs and income | C+ (50) | D (23) |
| Schools | B (72) | B- (58) |
| Safety | C+ (51) | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | D (21) | B+ (76) |
| Getting around | D (21) | F (8) |
| Education levels | B- (61) | D (17) |
| Health | B- (61) | D (21) |
| Home ownership | B (67) | B (70) |
| Internet access | C (47) | B+ (75) |
Cost of living
Mission Bend is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Katy: a median of $1,602 a month, 8% lower than Mission Bend's $1,747.
The median home is worth $401,700 in Katy and $233,800 in Mission Bend. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,799 a month against $1,582, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.5 times income in Katy and 3.5 times in Mission Bend.
Commute and location
Commutes average 31 minutes in Katy and 32 in Mission Bend.
The two are about 12 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 75% of Katy's 12 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 63% of Mission Bend's 8.
Common questions
Is Katy or Mission Bend better to live in?
Katy grades higher overall (B- vs C-). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Katy cheaper than Mission Bend?
No. Mission Bend has lower typical rent and home prices.
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.