Katy vs Pecan Grove: which is better to live in?
Katy gets B- overall and Pecan Grove gets A-. Pecan Grove comes out ahead on our index.
Katy wins on getting around. Pecan Grove wins on cost of living, jobs and income, schools, errands and things to do, education levels, home ownership and internet access.
Pecan Grove is the better pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.
Side by side
| Katy | Pecan Grove | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B- | A- |
| Population | 28,373 | 24,272 |
| Growth since 2020 | +29.7% | n/a |
| Median rent | $1,602 | $1,507 |
| Median home value | $401,700 | $383,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,799 | $2,649 |
| Median household income | $114,912 | $131,937 |
| Property tax per year | $7,207 | $6,603 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 123 | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | 2,967 | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 75% | 83% |
| Average commute | 31 min | 36 min |
| Work from home | 18% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 49% | 50% |
| Median age | 37.6 years | 38.2 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 112 | 116 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Very high | High |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Katy | Pecan Grove | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (31) | B- (59) |
| Jobs and income | C+ (50) | A (90) |
| Schools | B (72) | B+ (78) |
| Safety | C+ (51) | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | D (21) | D+ (25) |
| Getting around | D (21) | F (0) |
| Education levels | B- (61) | B+ (78) |
| Health | B- (61) | B- (60) |
| Home ownership | B (67) | B+ (76) |
| Internet access | C (47) | A+ (98) |
Cost of living
Pecan Grove is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Katy: a median of $1,602 a month, 6% higher than Pecan Grove's $1,507.
The median home is worth $401,700 in Katy and $383,500 in Pecan Grove. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,799 a month against $2,649, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.5 times income in Katy and 2.9 times in Pecan Grove.
Commute and location
Commutes average 31 minutes in Katy and 36 in Pecan Grove.
The two are about 13 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 83% of Pecan Grove's 6.
Common questions
Is Katy or Pecan Grove better to live in?
Pecan Grove grades higher overall (B- vs A-). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Katy cheaper than Pecan Grove?
No. Pecan Grove 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.