City in Montgomery County, part of the Houston metro
Living in The Woodlands, TX
5th of 75Texas cities of 50,000+ people
Overall score 96 of 100
11th of 125 in the Houston area
The Woodlands gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 5th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on schools and education levels, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, retirees and remote workers.
- Good for families
- Good for retirees
- Good for remote workers
- Top-rated schools
- Well connected
- Hurricane risk is very high
- Tornado risk is very high
- Population
- 121,002
- Median rent
- $1,82230% higher than Texas
- Median home value
- $511,70080% higher than Texas
- Household income
- $140,701Median
- Average commute
- 27 minOne way
- Violent crime
- No dataNo full-year report
About The Woodlands
About 28 miles north of downtown Houston, on the west side of Interstate 45, sits The Woodlands. It is not a city. It is a master-planned community and census-designated place, mostly in southern Montgomery County with a small part in Harris County. Oil man George P. Mitchell started it in the early 1970s, and the first homes went on sale in 1974. Instead of a mayor and city council, it is run by The Woodlands Township and its elected board.
Most commuting happens on I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road, which head south toward Houston. A lot of people also work right here. Occidental Petroleum, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Huntsman Corporation and Woodforest National Bank all have big offices in the area, and ExxonMobil's campus sits just to the south. The Woodlands Waterway runs from the mall area down to Lake Woodlands, Market Street is the main open-air shopping spot, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion hosts concerts, including free Houston Symphony shows.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, tshaonline.org
What it's like to live in The Woodlands
The Woodlands sits about 28 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. About 121,002 people live here. It is suburban, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2000).
Local spots people know include George Mitchell Nature Preserve, Windvale Park and Rob Fleming Park.
The median age is 40.6, 38% of households have children, 73% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $140,701 a year (79% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in The Woodlands
- Strong public schools. 100% of the 25 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
- High incomes. The median household earns $140,701, 79% higher than the Texas median.
- Healthier population. Only 8.8% of working-age adults lack health insurance.
Cons of living in The Woodlands
- Higher rent. Median rent is $1,822, 30% higher than the Texas median.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who The Woodlands suits
- FamiliesA strong fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 94% for families.
- Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 79% higher than the Texas median, with 403 restaurants and 45 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for young professionals.
- RetireesA strong fit: 8.8% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 87% for retirees.
- Remote workersA strong fit: 97% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,822 is 30% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,822 is 30% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for people on a budget.
The Woodlands report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare The Woodlands 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 $1,822, homes cost 3.6x income.
67 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade A-
Median household income $140,701, 4.9% unemployed.
86 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade A+
25 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
99 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: no grade
No full year of crime data from local police.
No score vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade C
17 grocery stores, 403 restaurants, 146 parks mapped in town.
43 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade D
Average commute 27 min, 22% work from home.
20 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade A+
66% have a bachelor’s degree.
96 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade A-
8.8% of adults uninsured.
87 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade B+
73% of homes owner-occupied.
74 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade A+
97% of homes have broadband.
96 of 100 vs US cities
Where The Woodlands stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 66%32 points higher than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $140,70179% higher than Texas ($78,476)
- Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 8.8%11 points lower than Texas (20%)
Worse than Texas
- Median rent: $1,82230% higher than Texas ($1,403)
Cost of living in The Woodlands
The Woodlands renters pay a median of $1,822 a month, 30% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $73,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 47% 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 $511,700, 80% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $2,801 before tax, or $3,473 with property tax. That is $1,651 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 The Woodlands pays $8,062 a year, 91% 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 The Woodlands
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent30% higher than Texas | $1,822 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value80% higher than Texas | $511,700 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to incomeAbout the same as Texas | 3.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points lower than Texas | 47% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year91% higher than Texas | $8,062 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them10 points higher than Texas | 73% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 2000 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $2,801
- Property tax
- $672
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,822
Based on a $511,700 home in The Woodlands, 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.
Schools in The Woodlands
The Woodlands has 25 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Tomball ISD and Conroe ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Creekside Forest Elementary, Buckalew Elementary and David Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 93 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.
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
- ACreekside Forest ElementaryElementary, Tomball ISD96 of 100
- ABuckalew ElementaryElementary, Conroe ISD95 of 100
- ADavid ElementaryElementary, Conroe ISD95 of 100
- AGalatas ElementaryElementary, Conroe ISD95 of 100
- AMitchell IntermediateMiddle, Conroe ISD95 of 100
Best neighborhoods in The Woodlands
We grade 55 areas inside The Woodlands. The top three are Herald Oaks (A+), Linton Ridge (A+) and Evangeline Oaks (A+). If price matters most, The Pinnacles has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $980 a month. Cascade Canyon is the priciest, at $3,500+. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.
Rank The Woodlands neighborhoods your way
What matters to you?
Move a slider and the list re-ranks right away.
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.
- 1A+Herald Oaks3,195 people, median rent $3,320, home $640,000100fit
- 2A+Linton Ridge2,891 people, median rent $1,770, home $449,00098fit
- 3A+Hayden's Run2,346 people, median rent $2,420, home $587,00096fit
- 4A+Sylvan Forest2,267 people, median rent $2,350, home $360,00094fit
- 5A+Evangeline Oaks1,492 people, home $556,00093fit
- 6A+Millport1,826 people, median rent $1,770, home $516,00091fit
- 7A+Alden Bridge2,369 people, median rent $3,380, home $484,00089fit
- 8A+Turnstone2,361 people, median rent $2,790, home $497,00087fit
- 9A+Berryfrost1,802 people, median rent $1,860, home $321,00085fit
- 10A+Sterling Pond2,491 people, median rent $2,710, home $504,00083fit
- 11A+Greenridge Forest2,610 people, median rent $1,380, home $763,00081fit
- 12A+Terradale2,127 people, median rent $1,470, home $486,00080fit
- 13A+Cascade Canyon2,269 people, median rent $3,500+, home $837,00078fit
- 14A+Tamarac Woods1,721 people, median rent $1,500, home $376,00076fit
- 15A+Sundance1,710 people, median rent $1,250, home $427,00074fit
All 55 The Woodlands neighborhoods, A to Z
- Alden Bridge (A+)
- Arbor at Grogan's Mill (B-)
- Ashbury Square (A)
- Ashley Green (A+)
- Autumn Branch (A-)
- Beckonvale (A)
- Benton Woods (A)
- Berryfrost (A+)
- Bryce Branch (B+)
- Capstone (A-)
- Carmeline (A)
- Cascade Canyon (A+)
- Cedar Grove (A)
- Circlewood Glen (B)
- Copper Sage (A)
- Creekwood (B+)
- Evangeline Oaks (A+)
- Fairway Oaks (A-)
- Foxbriar (B+)
- Gary Glen (A)
- Goldenvine (A)
- Greenridge Forest (A+)
- Harper's Landing (A)
- Hawkhurst (B+)
- Hayden's Run (A+)
- Herald Oaks (A+)
- High Oaks (A-)
- Hollymead (A)
- Hunter's Crossing (A)
- Idlewood (A)
- Innerwoods (A)
- Lake Voyageur (A)
- Linton Ridge (A+)
- Magnolia Pond (B-)
- Millbend Village (A)
- Millport (A+)
- Montfair (B-)
- Paloma Point (A-)
- Pemberly (A-)
- Pepperdale (A-)
- Pondera Point (A)
- Shadowcreek (A-)
- Springtime Creek (B)
- Sterling Pond (A+)
- Sundance (A+)
- Sylvan Forest (A+)
- Tamarac Woods (A+)
- Terradale (A+)
- The Pinnacles (B)
- Town Center (A)
- Turnstone (A+)
- Venetia Grove (A)
- West High Oaks (A-)
- Windsor Hills (A-)
- Woodfarm (B+)
Daily life in The Woodlands
Everyday places mapped inside The Woodlands, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include George Mitchell Nature Preserve, Windvale Park, Rob Fleming Park.
The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 22% 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 28 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in The Woodlands work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $140,701, income per person is $73,538, unemployment is 4.9% and 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income79% higher than Texas | $140,701 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person80% higher than Texas | $73,538 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 4.9% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line8 points lower than Texas | 5.5% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher32 points higher than Texas | 66% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher11 points higher than Texas | 97% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance11 points lower than Texas | 8.8% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet6 points higher than Texas | 97% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteAbout the same as Texas | 27 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home7 points higher than Texas | 22% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in The Woodlands
Median age 40.6 years. 38% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in The Woodlands
The Woodlands has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 43°F. There are about 111 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 51 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Houston Hooks Mem Ap, 8 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.
- River floodingHigh
- Coastal floodingVery low
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesVery high
- HailHigh
- Heat wavesHigh
- 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 The Woodlands
Nearby, Shenandoah gets a C-, Oak Ridge North gets an A- and Tomball gets a C+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- C-ShenandoahTown, 3,705 people3 mi
- A-Oak Ridge NorthTown, 3,034 people4 mi
- C+TomballSmall city, 13,655 people8 mi
- C-SpringCity, 68,580 people9 mi
- C-ConroeCity, 102,360 people10 mi
- B+PinehurstTown, 4,266 people11 mi
The Woodlands in the Houston area
How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.
- 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
- 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
- 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
- 8A+Bellaire17,206 people7 mito downtown
- 9A+Sugar Land110,016 people20 mito downtown
- 10A+El Lago2,997 people25 mito downtown
- 11A+The Woodlands121,002 people28 mito downtown
- 12A+Hunters Creek Village4,390 people7 mito downtown
- 13A+Hilshire Village1,220 people6 mito downtown
- 14APiney Point Village3,097 people8 mito downtown
Living in The Woodlands: common questions
Is The Woodlands, TX a good place to live?
The Woodlands gets an overall grade of A+ and ranks 5th of 75 Texas cities of 50,000+ people. It does best on schools and education levels, and trails on getting around. It is a strong pick for families, retirees and remote workers.
How much does it cost to live in The Woodlands?
Renters in The Woodlands pay a median of $1,822 a month, 30% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $511,700, 80% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.6x 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 $3,473, including property tax.
Are the schools good in The Woodlands?
We found 25 rated public school campuses inside The Woodlands. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 99 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 50,000+ people.
What are the best neighborhoods in The Woodlands?
Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in The Woodlands are Herald Oaks, Linton Ridge and Evangeline Oaks. We score 55 areas in the city.
Does The Woodlands flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in The Woodlands as high, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and hail. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in The Woodlands?
Summers in The Woodlands peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 43°F. Expect around 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 51 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in The Woodlands?
The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 22% of workers work from home. It is about 28 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.