Small city in Harris County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Tomball, TX

C+

90th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 53 of 100
62nd of 125 in the Houston area

We give Tomball a C+. It ranks 90th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and safety.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Fast-growing
  • Getting around scores low (1 of 100)
  • Hurricane risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Tomball isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthTomball
Where Tomball is in Texas.
Population
15,768+28.1% since 2020
Median rent
$1,22613% lower than Texas
Median home value
$364,30028% higher than Texas
Household income
$78,562Median
Average commute
33 minOne way
Violent crime
345Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Tomball

Tomball sits about 25 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 15,768 people lived here in 2025, up 28.1% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Jerry Matheson Park, Broussard Community Park and Juergens Park.

The median age is 37.7, 36% of households have children, 52% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $78,562 a year (about the same as the Texas median).

Pros of living in Tomball

  • Strong public schools. 86% of the 7 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,226, 13% lower than the Texas median.
  • Plenty close to home. 11 grocery stores, 174 restaurants and 11 parks are mapped in town.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 28% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Tomball

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 4.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 33 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • 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 Tomball suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 86% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 11% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 58% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 174 restaurants and 18 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 11% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,226 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 32% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,226 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for people on a budget.

Tomball report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Tomball with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D+

    Median rent $1,226, homes cost 4.6x income.

    31 of 100 vs US cities

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $78,562, 3.3% unemployed.

    59 of 100 vs US cities

  • Schools: grade A-

    7 rated campuses, 86% rated A or B.

    85 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Safety: grade D+

    345 violent crimes per 100k, 1,956 property crimes per 100k.

    24 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Errands and things to do: grade A-

    11 grocery stores, 174 restaurants, 11 parks mapped in town.

    82 of 100 vs TX cities

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 33 min, 20% work from home.

    1 of 100 vs US cities

  • Education levels: grade C

    36% have a bachelor’s degree.

    47 of 100 vs US cities

  • Health: grade C

    14% of adults uninsured.

    46 of 100 vs US cities

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    52% of homes owner-occupied.

    25 of 100 vs US cities

  • Internet access: grade D+

    90% of homes have broadband.

    27 of 100 vs US cities

Where Tomball stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 14%6 points lower than Texas (20%)
  • Median rent: $1,22613% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • People below the poverty line: 9.2%5 points lower than Texas (14%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 4.6x28% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 52%11 points lower than Texas (63%)
  • Average commute: 33 min25% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Tomball

Tomball renters pay a median of $1,226 a month, 13% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $49,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 60% 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 $364,300, 28% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,994 before tax, or $2,439 with property tax. That is $1,213 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 Tomball pays $5,341 a year, 26% 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 Tomball

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in TomballStudio$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 rent13% lower than Texas$1,226$1,403$1,413
Median home value28% higher than Texas$364,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income28% higher than Texas4.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent8 points higher than Texas60%52%51%
Median property tax per year26% higher than Texas$5,341$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them11 points lower than Texas52%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas199419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$2,439
Mortgage payment
$1,994
Property tax
$445
Median rent, for comparison
$1,226

Based on a $364,300 home in Tomball, 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 Tomball safe?

In 2025, Tomball Police Department reported 55 violent crimes and 312 property crimes. That works out to 345 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 11% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,956 property crimes per 100,000, 6% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 46% 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 Tomball by yearTexas34520212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
345
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,956
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Tomball by yearTexas1,95620212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Tomball

Tomball has 7 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 86% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Tomball ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Tomball Star Academy, Early Excellence Academy and Tomball High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 89 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
85
of 100 vs Texas cities
Average rating
89
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

  • ATomball Star AcademyHigh, Tomball ISD99 of 100
  • AEarly Excellence AcademyOther, Tomball ISD96 of 100
  • ATomball High SchoolHigh, Tomball ISD92 of 100
  • BTomball IntermediateMiddle, Tomball ISD89 of 100
  • BTomball Junior HighMiddle, Tomball ISD86 of 100

Best neighborhoods in Tomball

We grade 4 areas inside Tomball. The top three are Raburn Reserve (A), Pine Meadows (C+) and Spring Creek Estates (C+). If price matters most, Pine Meadows has the lowest median rent among areas graded C or better, at $1,120 a month. Raburn Reserve is the priciest, at $1,410. Use the map to color the city by any grade, or the sliders to rank areas by what you care about.

Loading map
    All 4 Tomball neighborhoods, A to Z

    Daily life in Tomball

    Everyday places mapped inside Tomball, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Jerry Matheson Park, Broussard Community Park, Juergens Park.

    The average one-way commute is 33 minutes, 25% longer than the Texas average. 20% 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 25 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Tomball work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $78,562, income per person is $45,630, unemployment is 3.3% and 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    11
    Pharmacies
    12
    Restaurants
    174
    Cafes
    18
    Bars
    12
    Parks
    11
    Gyms
    20
    Hospitals and urgent care
    9
    Childcare
    5
    Libraries
    1

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household incomeAbout the same as Texas$78,562$78,476$80,734
    Income per person12% higher than Texas$45,630$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.3%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas9.2%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher2 points higher than Texas36%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points higher than Texas90%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas90%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute25% higher than Texas33 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home5 points higher than Texas20%14%15%
    Workers who work from home20%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk0.5%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Tomball

    Under 1823%
    18 to 3422%
    35 to 6436%
    65 and over19%

    Median age 37.7 years. 36% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White61%
    Hispanic or Latino26%
    Black7.4%
    Asian2.1%
    Other or more than one race3.9%

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

    Weather in Tomball

    Tomball 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 monthly high and low temperatures in Tomball40°60°80°100°63J68F74M80A86M92J94J95A90S82O72N65DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Houston Hooks Mem Ap, 4 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 low. 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
    • HailLow
    • Heat wavesHigh
    • WildfiresHigh
    • Winter stormsLow
    • Strong windLow

    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 Tomball

    Nearby, Pinehurst gets a B+, The Woodlands gets an A+ and Magnolia gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. B+PinehurstTown, 4,266 people7 mi
    2. A+The WoodlandsCity, 121,002 people8 mi
    3. A-MagnoliaTown, 4,068 people11 mi
    4. A-Oak Ridge NorthTown, 3,034 people11 mi
    5. C-ShenandoahTown, 3,705 people11 mi
    6. C-SpringCity, 68,580 people13 mi

    Tomball 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. 59C+La Porte36,730 people22 mito downtown
    5. 60C+Manvel14,758 people21 mito downtown
    6. 61C+Sheldon2,208 people16 mito downtown
    7. 62C+Tomball13,655 people25 mito downtown
    8. 63CCloverleaf24,063 people13 mito downtown
    9. 64CRosharon1,737 people30 mito downtown
    10. 65CBrazoria2,880 people52 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Tomball: common questions

    Is Tomball, TX a good place to live?

    We give Tomball a C+. It ranks 90th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and safety.

    How much does it cost to live in Tomball?

    Renters in Tomball pay a median of $1,226 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $364,300, 28% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.6x 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 $2,439, including property tax.

    Is Tomball safe?

    In 2025, Tomball Police Department reported 345 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 11% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,956 per 100,000, 6% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Tomball?

    We found 7 rated public school campuses inside Tomball. 86% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.

    What are the best neighborhoods in Tomball?

    Based on our scores, the top-rated areas in Tomball are Raburn Reserve, Pine Meadows and Spring Creek Estates. We score 4 areas in the city.

    Does Tomball flood?

    FEMA rates river flooding risk in Tomball as high, and coastal flooding as very low. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

    What is the weather like in Tomball?

    Summers in Tomball 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 Tomball?

    The average one-way commute is 33 min, 25% higher than the Texas average. About 20% of workers work from home. It is about 25 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.