City in Montgomery County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Conroe, TX

C-

50th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 39 of 100
70th of 125 in the Houston area

Conroe gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 50th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.

  • Fast-growing
  • Errands and things to do scores low (2 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (14 of 100)
Downtown Conroe, Texas
Photo: Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Population
119,564+33.0% since 2020
Median rent
$1,393about the same as Texas
Median home value
$309,6009% higher than Texas
Household income
$76,206Median
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
263Per 100k, 2025

About Conroe

About 40 miles north of Houston on Interstate 45, Conroe is the seat of Montgomery County and sits at the edge of the East Texas Piney Woods. Houston lumberman Isaac Conroe opened a sawmill here in 1881, and timber carried the town for decades. Then in 1931 George W. Strake struck oil southeast of town, and for a while in the 1930s Conroe claimed more millionaires per person than any town in the country.

I-45 is the main road for commuting south to Houston or north to Dallas. Loop 336 circles the city and State Highway 105 runs west toward the lake. Conroe ISD, Montgomery County government and HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe are among the largest employers. Lake Conroe, a reservoir built in 1973, sits just northwest of town for boating and fishing. W.G. Jones State Forest covers about 1,700 acres nearby, and the downtown arts district is home to the Crighton Theatre, open since 1935.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, tshaonline.org

What it's like to live in Conroe

Conroe sits about 38 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 119,564 people lived here in 2025, up 33.0% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2006).

Places locals use include Carl Barton Jr Park, McDade Park and Candy Cane Park.

The median age is 33.7, 34% of households have children, 55% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $76,206 a year (about the same as the Texas median).

Pros of living in Conroe

  • Growing fast. The population grew 33% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Conroe

  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes as very high here.

Who Conroe suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 32% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 422 restaurants and 36 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 19% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 32% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 26% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,393 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 47% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,393 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 35% for people on a budget.

Conroe report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Conroe with other US cities of 50,000+ people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

  • Cost of living: grade B-

    Median rent $1,393, homes cost 4.1x income.

    61 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $76,206, 3.9% unemployed.

    62 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade C+

    21 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.

    51 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade C+

    263 violent crimes per 100k, 1,461 property crimes per 100k.

    49 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade F

    27 grocery stores, 422 restaurants, 65 parks mapped in town.

    2 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 29 min, 12% work from home.

    14 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade C-

    34% have a bachelor’s degree.

    39 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade D

    19% of adults uninsured.

    23 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade C

    55% of homes owner-occupied.

    42 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade B+

    95% of homes have broadband.

    72 of 100 vs US cities

Where Conroe stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes with broadband internet: 95%3 points higher than Texas (91%)
  • Vacant homes: 6.1%3 points lower than Texas (9.4%)
  • People below the poverty line: 11%3 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 55%8 points lower than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 4.1x12% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 29 min7% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Conroe

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Conroe is $1,393 a month, about the same as the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $56,000 a year. Right now 53% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $309,600, 9% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,695 before tax, or $2,134 with property tax. That is $741 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Conroe pays $5,268 a year, 24% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

See the full cost of living breakdown for Conroe

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in ConroeStudio$1,2331 bedroom$1,2612 bedrooms$1,4973 bedrooms$2,0174 bedrooms$2,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rentAbout the same as Texas$1,393$1,403$1,413
Median home value9% higher than Texas$309,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income12% higher than Texas4.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points higher than Texas53%52%51%
Median property tax per year24% higher than Texas$5,268$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them8 points lower than Texas55%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,134
Mortgage payment
$1,695
Property tax
$439
Median rent, for comparison
$1,393

Based on a $309,600 home in Conroe, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Conroe safe?

In 2025, Conroe Police Department reported 319 violent crimes and 1,772 property crimes. That works out to 263 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 32% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,461 property crimes per 100,000, 30% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 18% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Conroe by yearTexas26320212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
263
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,461
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Conroe by yearTexas1,46120212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Conroe Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Conroe

Conroe has 21 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Willis ISD and Conroe ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Eddie Ruth Lagway Elementary and Turner Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 82 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
51
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
82
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • AEddie Ruth Lagway ElementaryElementary, Willis ISD91 of 100
  • ATurner ElementaryElementary, Willis ISD90 of 100
  • BAnderson ElementaryElementary, Conroe ISD88 of 100
  • BCryar IntermediateMiddle, Conroe ISD88 of 100
  • BPatterson ElementaryElementary, Conroe ISD87 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Conroe

We grade 13 areas inside Conroe. The top three are Windsor Lakes (B+), Southwest Conroe (B) and Camellia (B). If price matters most, Northwest Conroe has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,360 a month. Northeast Conroe is the priciest, at $2,030. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map

    Rank Conroe neighborhoods your way

    What matters to you?

    Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.

    Most
    A lot
    Most
    A lot
    A lot
    A lot
    Some
    A lot
    Some
    A little

    The grade is our overall grade. Fit shows how well each one matches your sliders, from 0 to 100, against the others in this list.

    13 Conroe neighborhoods, ranked by your priorities
    1. 1B+Windsor Lakes1,211 people, median rent $1,750, home $379,000100fit
    2. 2BSouthwest Conroe2,052 people, median rent $1,800, home $342,00092fit
    3. 3B-Marlberry Branch3,199 people, median rent $1,430, home $357,00083fit
    4. 4BCamellia4,420 people, median rent $1,820, home $330,00075fit
    5. 5B-West Conroe10,039 people, median rent $1,480, home $376,00067fit
    6. 6B-Northeast Conroe3,551 people, median rent $2,030, home $244,00058fit
    7. 7C+Regency at the Villas3,475 people, median rent $1,470, home $724,00050fit
    8. 8C+Northwest Conroe19,620 people, median rent $1,360, home $399,00042fit
    9. 9CSilverStone7,496 people, median rent $1,490, home $279,00033fit
    10. 10C-South Conroe8,203 people, median rent $1,370, home $436,00025fit
    11. 11C-Ladera Creek8,137 people, median rent $1,630, home $250,00017fit
    12. 12DCentral Conroe21,050 people, median rent $1,230, home $180,0008fit
    13. 13DNorth Conroe4,880 people, median rent $1,250, home $203,0000fit
    All 13 Conroe neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Conroe

    Everyday places mapped inside Conroe, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Carl Barton Jr Park, McDade Park, Candy Cane Park.

    The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 7% longer than the Texas average. 12% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Houston is about 38 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Conroe work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $76,206, income per person is $39,945, unemployment is 3.9% and 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    27
    Pharmacies
    27
    Restaurants
    422
    Cafes
    36
    Bars
    44
    Parks
    65
    Gyms
    45
    Hospitals and urgent care
    24
    Childcare
    18
    Libraries
    5

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household incomeAbout the same as Texas$76,206$78,476$80,734
    Income per personAbout the same as Texas$39,945$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate1 points lower than Texas3.9%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line3 points lower than Texas11%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higherAbout the same as Texas34%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points higher than Texas88%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas19%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet3 points higher than Texas95%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute7% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home2 points lower than Texas12%14%15%
    Workers who work from home12%
    Workers who take transit0.3%
    Workers who walk1.2%
    Workers who bike0.4%

    Who lives in Conroe

    Under 1824%
    18 to 3428%
    35 to 6434%
    65 and over13%

    Median age 33.7 years. 34% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White51%
    Hispanic or Latino31%
    Black12%
    Asian3.4%
    Other or more than one race3.6%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Conroe

    Conroe has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 42°F. There are about 105 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 51 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Conroe40°60°80°100°63J67F74M80A86M92J95J96A90S82O72N64DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Conroe, 2 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

    Natural hazard risk

    FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is moderate. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

    • River floodingLow
    • HurricanesHigh
    • TornadoesVery high
    • HailModerate
    • Heat wavesModerate
    • WildfiresModerate
    • Winter stormsModerate
    • Strong windModerate

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Conroe

    Nearby, Panorama Village gets an A-, Shenandoah gets a C- and Deerwood gets a B. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. A-Panorama VillageTown, 2,525 people5 mi
    2. C-ShenandoahTown, 3,705 people9 mi
    3. BDeerwoodTown, 2,366 people9 mi
    4. CWillisTown, 6,878 people9 mi
    5. A+The WoodlandsCity, 121,002 people10 mi
    6. A-Oak Ridge NorthTown, 3,034 people11 mi

    Conroe in the Houston area

    How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
    3. 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
    4. 67CWoodbranch1,719 people30 mito downtown
    5. 68CBeach City3,309 people32 mito downtown
    6. 69C-Shenandoah3,705 people28 mito downtown
    7. 70C-Conroe102,360 people38 mito downtown
    8. 71C-Montgomery2,489 people46 mito downtown
    9. 72C-Roman Forest2,336 people31 mito downtown
    10. 73C-Bolivar Peninsula2,951 people54 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Conroe: common questions

    Is Conroe, TX a good place to live?

    Conroe gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 50th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on internet access and jobs and income, and trails on errands and things to do and getting around.

    How much does it cost to live in Conroe?

    Median rent in Conroe is $1,393 a month, about the same as the Texas median. The median home is worth $309,600, 9% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.1x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $2,134, including property tax.

    Is Conroe safe?

    In 2025, Conroe Police Department reported 263 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 32% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,461 per 100,000, 30% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Conroe?

    We found 21 rated public school campuses inside Conroe. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 51 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Conroe?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Conroe are Windsor Lakes, Southwest Conroe and Camellia. We score 13 areas in the city.

    Does Conroe flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Conroe as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes and tornadoes. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Conroe?

    Summers in Conroe peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 42°F. Expect around 105 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 51 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Conroe?

    The average one-way commute is 29 min, 7% higher than the Texas average. About 12% of workers work from home. It is about 38 miles from downtown Houston.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.