Exclusive enclaves

2 affluent Houston neighbors make 2025 list of wealthiest U.S. suburbs

6535 Buffalo Speedway W, West University Place home for sale

This lavish abode on Buffalo Speedway in West University Place is for sale for $2.95 million.

Photo courtesy of Zillow

Two well-to-do Houston-area communities – West University Place and Bellaire – are among the wealthiest suburbs in America in 2025, a new report has confirmed.

The affluent Houston neighbors were lauded in GoBankingRates just-released ranking of the 50 wealthiest U.S. suburbs, based on 2022 and 2023 average household income data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

West U. ranked as the third wealthiest suburb for the second consecutive year, while Bellaire moved up into the No. 23 spot after ranking 25th in 2024.

Compared to last year's report, the average income for a West U. household has increased by $5,832, to $409,677. The value of the typical home in this affluent Houston enclave is nearing in the seven-figure range, at almost $983,000 in May, which the report noted is 4.61 percent higher than it was this time last year.

West U.'s prosperity is no secret – and neither was late CultureMap columnist Ken Hoffman's opinion about that West U. isn't a suburb – but fast-growing cities like Fulshear and Pearland may soon compete with the likes of West. U and Bellaire.

4312 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire home for sale This luxurious mansion in Bellaire is on the market for $2.85 million.Photo courtesy of Zillow

Meanwhile, Bellaire's average household income now surpasses $311,000, compared to $294,605 from last year's report.

Bellaire certainly has its share of over-the-top homes on the market for hefty price tags. The report said the typical Bellaire home value in May came out to more than $1.13 million, up from about $1.08 million in the 2024 report.

Elsewhere in Texas
Houston wasn't the only Texas metro to have entries on this year's list. Two Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, University Park and Southlake, were returnees in the 2025 report. University Park held on to its No. 6 spot for the second year in a row, while Southlake moved up six spots and is now the 7th most affluent American suburb. Additionally, the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville made its 2025 debut on the list as the 47th wealthiest American suburb.

The top 10 wealthiest suburbs in America for 2025 are:

No. 1 – Scarsdale, New York (New York City)
No. 2 – Rye, New York (New York City)
No. 3 – West University Place, Texas (Houston)
No. 4 – Los Altos, California (San Jose)
No. 5 – Alamo, California (Oakland)
No. 6 – University Park, Texas (Dallas)
No. 7 – Southlake, Texas (Fort Worth)
No. 8 – Hinsdale, Illinois (Chicago)
No. 9 – Orinda, California (Oakland)
No. 10 – Wellesley, Massachusetts (Boston)

dallas fort worth colleyville university park southlake suburbs affluent households wealthy suburbs gobankingrates.com

hey, joe

Trader Joe's sets Cypress opening date, confirms Bellaire plans

Photo courtesy of Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page

Trader Joe's is expanding, and shoppers couldn't be happier.

Two new Houston-area communities announced that they would be opening Trader Joe's locations, bringing the total number of stores in the city to nine.

On Thursday, December 18, the Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page posted that the new Trader Joe's at 9715 Towne Lake Parkway would open at 8 am on Friday, December 19. Unsold but still-good products left over at the ribbon cutting ceremony will be donated to local nonprofits.

"Not only does Trader Joe's have great prices on food, drinks, and treats, but as a hobby florist I always find the best selections for my floral arrangements," Copperfield resident Kelsey Zuchlewski tells CultureMap. "Now, with the convenience of having a location right here in our neighborhood, I'm in heaven."

Confirmation of the Cypress opening followed an announcement on the City of Bellaire's Facebook page that a Trader Joe's would take over the former Randall's at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. The post did not specify when construction will begin or when the location will open.

"This highly anticipated addition to our community will bring a unique grocery shopping experience and further enhance the vibrant retail landscape of Bellaire," the post said. "We look forward to welcoming Trader Joe’s and will share updates as the project progresses."

The California-based chain of stores entered Houston in 2012, first in the Woodlands and then, more famously, at the old Alabama Theater space on Shepherd, where it has become a beloved local institution. Since then, the chain has expanded throughout Houston, including a Kingwood location that opened earlier this month.

Over the year, Trader Joe's has built a loyal following that rivals even H-E-B. Staff at the stores (wearing Hawaiian shirts) are trained to be extremely friendly and helpful, as well as being encouraged to purchase ownership in the company. The selection is smaller and more curated than other larger grocery stores, leading to a boutique experience that many consider to be surprisingly affordable. At least one viral TikToker claims that Trader Joe's beats H-E-B's price, although the latter undoubtedly has a larger selection of goods.

openings trader joe's