Best Neighborhoods in Houston for Families (Plus a Bonus Suburb!)

Aside from outstanding educational institutions, the city of Houston is home to a plethora of outdoor recreation and family-friendly activities — not to mention job opportunities and so much more. It’s, without a doubt, an ideal place for families to put down roots. So whether you’re just starting out with a newborn baby or your kids are already walking themselves to school, let our guide to the best neighborhoods in Houston for families help you find the perfect place to call home.

Houston at a Glance

• Houston is often referred to as the “Bayou City,” due to the various waterways that run throughout the city.
• Houston has a population of a little more than 2.3 million.
• The average home value in Houston is around $262,600.
• The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Houston is around $1,350.
• Houston is a great city for outdoor enthusiasts, art fanatics, and foodies!
• Families living in Houston also have phenomenal access to top-notch schools and plenty of family-friendly amenities and attractions.

Best Neighborhoods in Houston for Families — FAQs

Q: What part of Houston is the safest to live?
A: Kingwood Area is considered one of the safest places to live in Houston.

Q: What is the best part of Houston to live in?
A: According to Niche, Kingwood Area is considered the best neighborhood to raise a family in Houston!

Q: What suburb of Houston has the best schools?
A: The suburb of The Woodlands has some of the top-ranked schools, including The Woodlands High School and Sam Houston State University Charter School. 

Q: Is $50,000 enough to live in Houston?
A: That depends on your particular lifestyle, of course, but according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the required annual income before taxes for an individual is around $37,500. For a family of four with two working adults, that number increases to around $87,600.

University Place in Houston, TX
Source: Redfin.com

Best Neighborhoods in Houston for Families

Looking for nice neighborhoods in Houston? With outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, museums, and plenty of family friendly-activities nearby, these are our picks for Houston’s top neighborhoods (plus a must-see suburb!) for families.

1. Memorial 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,600
• Average home value: $617,900
• Great for: Shopping, dining, quality schools

When Memorial Drive was first established, it ran alongside a variety of small farms. Now, this road is known simply as Memorial, and it’s the heartbeat of one of the best neighborhoods in Houston for families. 

When living in Memorial, families can expect their children to receive top-notch education at institutions such as Jenks Elementary School, Adams J.H. Middle School, and Carnegie Vanguard High School. They can also easily access various entertainment and shopping options by driving to either the Town & Country Village or the Memorial City Mall nearby. And food options? They’re plentiful! Residents especially love the delicious pizza at the family-owned Pizaro's.

2. University Place  

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,225
• Median home sale price: $934,000
• Great for: Arts, culture, public schools, jobs, commutes

University Place, bordered by Main Street, Kirby Drive, North Braeswood, and US 59, is another  one of the best family neighborhoods in Houston. It’s close to various popular areas, such as Hermann Park, West University, and the Museum District.

Situated near one of the most popular areas in Houston for nightlife, culture, and dining, University Place is also only a couple of miles away from Montrose. You can find some of the best restaurants there, including Bludorn, Cuchara, and Ostia.

Art enthusiast? Bring the whole family to the Museum District and explore the Contemporary Arts Museum, which focuses on presenting works by local and international artists. Other institutions in the area include the Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts.

3. Clear Lake

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,050
• Average home value: $322,700
• Great for: Unique homes, beautiful views, public schools, diversity

The master-planned community of Clear Lake was developed in 1963 and was a leader in the sale of single-family homes in the Houston area for many years. Now, with a population of almost 80,000, Clear Lake is booming with the development of townhouses, upscale apartments, and even more single-family homes. It’s also served by the Clear Creek School District, which receives impressive ratings on Niche.

Need a family trip to satisfy the space exploration itch of your youngster? Clear Lake is located only five minutes from the Johnson Space Center, a hub of NASA. It’s also home to a branch of the University of Houston, so aspirations in higher education can be fulfilled without leaving town.

4. Kingwood Area

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,175
• Average home value: $326,700
• Great for: Family-friendly events, outdoor recreation, safety, diversity

Kingwood is a family-friendly community that's easy to get to from the center of Houston (less than 20 minutes, even with some traffic). It's certainly a fun place to live, as its residents thrive on participating in various community events, including the Christmas in the Park Festival and Tree Lighting, Mardi Gras Festival & Parade, and the Fourth of July parade.

Kingwood’s River Grove Park features various areas for families to gather, such as picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, a boat ramp with access to Lake Houston, and fishing piers. And with an A+ crime rating on Niche, Kingwood Area is one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston!

Braeswood neighborhood in Houston, TX
Source: Homes.com

5. Braeswood

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,450
• Average home value: $534,300
• Great for: Dining, parks, accessibility, jobs

The Southside Place and Houston outskirts are bordered by the Braeswood neighborhood, which offers a welcoming atmosphere and is ideal for people who are looking for a more suburban lifestyle. It’s still close to the energy of the city, though, so it’s perfect for parents who like to go out and live it up every once in a while.

The Braeswood neighborhood features a variety of luxury apartments and residential complexes. Families can enjoy downtime in the recently renovated Linkwood Park and rest easy knowing there’s top-tier health services available at nearby hospitals Baylor St.Luke’s Medical Center and Kindred Hospital.  

The area's bar and restaurant scene is thriving, as well, and some of the most family-friendly establishments include Black Walnut Cafe (where they offer new takes on classic dishes), Hungry's (where they’ve been serving fresh fare to Houston for over 45 years!), and Prego (where they serve contemporary Italian cuisine). Parents can also enjoy socializing at Bacco on the Bayou and Little Woodrow’s.

6. Briar Forest 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,075
• Median home sale price: $390,000
• Great for: Daycare, parks, accessibility, nightlife, jobs

Briar Forest is bordered by Buffalo Bayou to the north, Westheimer to the south, Gessner to the east, and Dairy Ashford to the west. It’s also conveniently situated along the Beltway, Interstate 10, and the Westpark Tollway. 

If proximity to parks, daycare establishments, and preschools is important to you, you’ll be pleased to know that one of the best daycares in the area is the Primrose School of Eldridge Parkway Home, and there are a several playgrounds and parks for the kids to remain active in Briar Forest, like the Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary.

7. Meyerland Area 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,225
• Average home value: $433,000
• Great for: Unique homes, tight-knit community, dining, jobs

Located in southwest Houston, Meyerland is a diverse community that offers a variety of affordable homes and excellent schools, all within easy access to major business districts and premium dining establishments, such as Saltgrass Steak House and Akiko. 

A unique feature of Meyerland is the homes throughout the area, which were built during the 1960s but have mostly been updated with modern features. Some of the architectural styles include modern, ranch, and traditional. 

Meyerland is also a great place for families because of its small-town feel and tight-knit community, with top-rated schools to boot, including Debakey H.S. for Health Professions and the Harmony School of Excellence in the nearby community of Sugar Land.

8. The Woodlands, TX

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,325
• Median home sale price: $461,600
• Great for: Impressive attractions, outdoor recreation, safety, housing

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention The Woodlands. Just 30 miles north of downtown, this master-planned community offers a vibrant area with lots of job opportunities and family-friendly amenities. And as one of the best suburbs of Houston for families, The Woodlands is home to a number of impressive attractions, including the Lone Star Flight Museum and Discovery Green. Families can also easily watch the best local sports teams at complexes nearby that include Minute Maid Park and the NRG Stadium. 

Get the entire family active by exploring Lake Woodlands, an extensive park that features trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. You can even take out a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard onto the lake and explore from there! And with an A- crime rating, according AreaVibes, residents of this community can feel safe, as the total crime rates are nearly 50 percent lower than national averages.

PODS Can Help You Move to a Family-Friendly Neighborhood in Houston

When you’ve made the decision to settle down in one of the best family neighborhoods in Houston, consider renting a PODS portable moving container. PODS will deliver the container right to your driveway, where you can load it at your convenience. They’ll then take it to your new home when — and only when — you’re ready. One month of storage is included in the deal, as well, so you can get situated at your own pace, as well.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.