What’s It Like Living in Katy, Texas?

Katy, Texas, is a city just west of Houston that offers residents all the amenities of a big city, with the charm and close-knit community of a small town. Folks love living in Katy, Texas, because of the good jobs, the easy access to the outdoors, the rich history, and the fact that there’s always something to do. Whether you’re relocating your family, you’re starting a new career, or you’re wanting to retire to a place with friendly suburban appeal, you can do it all in Katy, Texas.

Katy at a Glance

• Katy is located just 30 miles west of Houston, the fourth-most populous city in the U.S.
• Katy’s population comes in at just above 26,000.
• Katy has a median age of 39.7 years.
• The city of Katy encompasses three counties: Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller.
• Katy was first settled in the mid-1890s and was a railroad town until the 1960s, when residents of Houston started to move westward.

Living in Katy, Texas — FAQs

Q: Is Katy, TX, a nice place to live?
A: Yes, Katy, TX, is a great place to live! It’s been ranked No. 10 on Niche’s list for “Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in the Houston Area,” and it has A ratings in the following categories: public schools, good for families, diversity, and housing.

Q: Why are people moving to Katy, Texas?
A: In addition to its top-rated schools, people are moving to Katy for its strong job market, nice weather, and the sense of community that can be found throughout the area.

Q: Is Katy, Texas, expensive to live in?
A: No, Katy isn’t an expensive place to live. In fact, the cost of living in Katy, Texas, is more than three percent lower than the national average. 

Q: Is Katy, TX, wealthy?
A: The median household income in Katy is $114,917, while the state’s is $73,035. And just 3.5 percent of Katy residents are in poverty, while the state’s percentage is 14.

20 Things To Know About Living in Katy, Texas

Whether you want to know more about jobs in Katy, Texas, or you’d like to learn what the top things to do in Katy are, there’s a lot to cover when it comes to what it’s like living in Katy, Texas. So without further ado, here are what we think are the top 20 things you need to know about Katy, TX. 

You’ll typically spend less on necessities like groceries, utilities, healthcare, and childcare in a place like Katy.

1. Cost of Living in Katy, Texas

The cost of living in Katy, Texas, is lower than the national average by more than three percent — Katy’s score is 96.9, while the national average is 100. That means that you’ll typically spend less on necessities like groceries, utilities, healthcare, and childcare in a place like Katy, and your paycheck will go further in this area west of Houston. It’s also much less expensive to live in Katy than in other Texas cities like Dallas and Austin. 

2. Salaries Needed To Live in Katy, Texas

Although it’s comforting to know that the cost of living in Katy, Texas, is lower than the national average, you’ll still want to have a good idea about what kind of salary you’ll need to live there. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, if you’re a family of four with at least one parent working, you should aim to have a salary of at least $87,385 before taxes. A single adult — whether you’re a working professional, student, or retiree — should try and have a salary of at least $48,656 before taxes. And a couple without children should have an annual income of at least $65,671 before taxes. 

3. Pros and Cons of Living in Katy, Texas

Pro: Proximity

Katy is close to so many great places! Not only is it merely around 30 minutes from Houston, but it’s also just around 2.5 hours from the great city of San Antonio. And if you want to travel a little further northwest from Katy, you can check out the sights and sounds of Austin in just over 2 hours and Dallas in just under four.  

Pro: Always Something To Do in Katy, Texas

There’s always something fun to do outside in Katy. Because it’s located far enough away from Houston, you’ll find that there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and explore the Brazos River, enjoy the variety of nearby lakes, or just head to the beaches of Galveston. You can also enjoy the local trails at Mary Jo Peckham Park or spend time in Katy City Park.

The heat of the summer can be a lot to take for some folks in Katy.

Con: Hot Weather

Although the mild winters are great, the heat of the summer can be a lot to take for some folks. With highs that consistently reach the 90s from May through September plus high humidity levels, it can be difficult to spend time outdoors, especially if you’re someone with respiratory issues. The summer months bring a lot of rain, as well, and you can expect a few hurricane and tornado threats. 

Con: High Tax Rates

Unfortunately, the sales tax is high in Texas. Although there is no income tax in Texas, the sales taxes on purchases can quickly add up. In Katy, it’s currently 8.25 percent, and even though the area enjoys a lower cost of living than other parts of Texas, you may still feel the pinch of taxes, even without owing income tax. On top of that, Texas is also known for having some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

Con: Not Very Diverse

The city of Katy does not have an incredibly diverse population, as almost 60 percent of residents are White/Caucasian. However, the diverse city of Houston is very close by and offers all kinds of different cultural festivities, cuisines, and events that cater to a wide variety of people. 

4. Katy Housing Market

You can find a variety of home styles in Katy, and a lot of residents opt to build their own homes in neighborhoods or planned communities. Popular styles include Acadian-Southern, Farmhouse, and Traditional, but you’ll also find Queen Anne and Craftsman.

The average home value in Katy is $351,100, while it’s only $271,900 in Houston. It still falls below the national average of $358,700, though.

• Houston Community College - Katy Campus
• University of Houston - Victoria at Katy
• Lone Star College - Cypress Center

9. Sports Teams

While Katy itself does not have any sports teams, there are plenty of leagues you can join for both kids and adults! Katy’s schools also promote participation in sports — as evidenced by the nine state championships of the Katy High School Tigers! Plenty of Katy’s residents also support Houston’s professional teams, including the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), Rockets (NBA), Dynamo FC (MLS), and Dash (NWSL). 

Katy can also experience tornadoes, and you can expect lots of rainfall from hurricanes or tropical storms as they pass through the Gulf of Mexico.

10. Katy Weather/Climate in Katy 

Katy enjoys mild winters because of its location in Texas, and you can say goodbye to shoveling snow or dealing with ice! The lows in the winter months from November to February don’t typically dip below the 40s. However, the summers are hot and oppressive with a lot of humidity. From May through September, you can expect temperatures to be in the 80s and 90s consistently. Katy can also experience tornadoes, and you can expect lots of rainfall from hurricanes or tropical storms as they pass through the Gulf of Mexico.

11. Katy Crime Rate/Safety

The total crime rate index of Katy, Texas, is a 3, which means the city is only safer than 3 percent of other U.S. cities. Your chances of becoming a victim to property crime, for example, is 1 in 24. That doesn’t mean you can’t find wonderful areas of Katy that are safe to live in, though. In fact, crime is often concentrated in certain areas. Some of the safest neighborhoods throughout the city include:

• Seven Meadows
• Pin Oak Village
• Pine Mill Ranch

12. Jobs in Katy, Texas

There are lots of jobs in Katy, Texas, for folks who are in a variety of industries. The oil and gas, tech, and healthcare industries, for example, offer plenty of opportunities, and depending on the company, you may find it easier to get a work-from-home or a hybrid job to commute less. The Energy Corridor along I-10 is where a lot of residents find good-paying employment, but keep in mind that the traffic along that commute can get difficult. 

What are residents making in Katy? The median household income as of 2022 in Katy was $114,917 and the average per capita income was $46,184.

13. Local Food Scene

Houston is known for having a fantastic food scene, where you’ll find authentic cuisine from cultures around the world. But what about Katy? Not to be outdone, you’ll encounter lots of delicious restaurants that are sure to pique your culinary interest. Don’t think that because it’s more suburban there are only chains in Katy — that couldn’t be further from the truth (Katy even has an Asian Town)! Some of the top restaurants thriving in Katy include:

• Authentic Japanese izakaya at Twenty Five Teishoku House
• Fresh seafood at Yummy Seafood and Oyster Bar
• Italian fare at Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano

Check out Katy’s beginnings at the M-K-T Railroad Museum, which was built in 1898.
(Source: City of Katy-Parks and Recreation via Facebook)

14. Katy’s Cultural Scene

You don’t have to drive 30 miles to Houston to get a good dose of culture when you live in Katy. Check out Katy’s beginnings at the M-K-T Railroad Museum, which was built in 1898. The Katy Veterans Memorial Museum is another great place to learn a little more about the past. And another must-visit museum is the Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum, which has all kinds of artifacts, documents, photos, farming equipment, and antiques for visitors to view.

You can always catch local performances at the Katy Theatre or enjoy live shows like those during the Katy Music Festival at Rhodes Stadium, as well.

15. Free Things To Do in Katy, Texas

If you really want to explore the city but aren’t interested in spending a lot of money, you’re in luck! There are a lot of options when it comes to fun (and free) things to do in Katy, Texas, such as:

• Visiting the Katy Heritage Park
• Enjoying nature at the Mary Jo Peckham Park
• Checking out Katy Market Day — full of crafts, jewelry, food, and live music — on the 3rd Saturday of the month
• Relaxing in the open-air shopping area at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
• Spending time with friends and family at Katy Park or Willow Fork Park
• Participating in community events like the Katy Rice Festival or free concerts during Katy Summer Nights

16. Outdoor Activities in Katy

When you’re living in Katy, Texas, you’re never far from outdoor fun. Texas is known for its wide open spaces, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to leave the city behind and enjoy time spent in nature. Consider:

• Walking the trails of Mary Jo Peckham Park and watching the anglers cast lines for fishing in the pond
• Attending a horse show at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center
• Golfing at the Club at Falcon Point, the Katy Golf Club, or Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club
• Taking a bike ride in nearby George Bush Park
• Taking a trek through the Coastal Prairie Conservancy

17. Things To Do With Kids in Katy

If you need some fun things to do with kids in Katy, you’ll be pleased to know there are lots of family-friendly events and venues that you’re sure to love. Some of our favorites include:

• Taking the kiddos to Dewberry Farm for hay rides, petting zoos, Ferris wheel rides, playing on the slides, and face paintings
• Spending the day at Altitude Trampoline Park
• Checking out indoor skydiving at iFly
• Having a day of fun on the water slides at Typhoon Texas
• Getting your skate on at the Mason Road Skate Center

The music scene is alive and well in Katy, Texas. 
(Source: Home Run Dugout via Facebook)

18. Nightlife in Katy

You don’t have to go to Houston to find some great nightlife when you’re living in Katy, Texas. The music scene is alive and well here, and you’ll find a variety of nighttime options, whether you want to listen to country music, go bowling, play billiards, get on the dance floor, or live it up another way! Some favorites include:

• Enjoying live country music at the Home Run Dugout
• Going line dancing (or regular dancing!) at Mo’s Place
• Going bowling or playing pool at Times Square Entertainment
• Singing karaoke, enjoying comedy shows, or having a great meal at Katy Vibes

19. Katy’s Proximity to Other Texas Cities

While there’s plenty to do in Katy and in the greater Houston area, it’s nice to know that when you’re in Katy, you’re also close to all that the rest of Texas has to offer. You can travel along I-10 West and be in the great city of San Antonio in just around 2.5 hours. Go east on I-10 and you can check out the Candy Cain Abshier Wildlife Management Area and Sabine Lake in Beaumont, TX. And if you want to travel a little further northwest from Katy, check out the sights and sounds of Austin in just over 2 hours and Dallas in just under four.

Make Your Move to Katy, Texas, With PODS

If you’ve decided to move to Katy, Texas, let PODS help you get there. Portable storage containers give you the freedom to pack up your belongings on your schedule. And if you need extra help with the heavy lifting, PODS can also direct you to local packing and loading assistance to make your move even smoother. When you’re ready to go, a PODS professional will pick up your container and drive it to Katy. They can deliver it to your new address or keep it safe in a secure storage facility until you’re ready. Super easy, right?

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.

(Source for image featured at top: Official - City of Katy via Facebook)