hot 'hoods

Cozy Houston neighborhood ranked No. 1 best place to live in Texas

Cinco Ranch is a tight-knit community outside Houston.

Cinco Ranch Life/Facebook

A master-planned community on the outskirts of Houston has been ranked the No. 1 best place to live in Texas by rankings and review website Niche.com: Cinco Ranch climbed into the top spot in Niche's annual rankings for 2025.

The survey determined the best places to live in based on crime rates, public school rankings, the local cost of living, job opportunities, and more using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, and others.

This isn't the first time Cinco Ranch has been lauded as one of the best places to live: In 2024, Travel + Leisure ranked the neighborhood the No. 2 best suburb to live in America.

In Niche's national rankings of the best places to live in the U.S., Cinco Ranch ranked 16th overall.

Cinco Ranch is situated 30 miles west of downtown Houston, and less than 10 miles southeast of Katy. Niche gave the neighborhood an "A-plus" rating thanks to its family friendliness, its high-ranking public schools, its diversity, and more.

The neighborhood also boasts a population of more than 19,000 residents, though it still maintains a close-knit community.

"I liked seeing the diversity of different communities coming together to help each other put in times of need," wrote one Cinco Ranch resident in a review of the area.

Families can also take advantage of the many outdoor recreational activities that are offered by the area, including three lakes, 11 pools, more than 70 playgrounds, and 231 miles of trails.

Cinco Ranch, Katy, Houston suburb Cinco Ranch has over 200 miles of trails to explore. cincoranch.life/

A Cinco Ranch home is worth a median $459,500, which is far higher than the national median home value of $303,400. Median rent prices land at just under $2,000 per month.

"Living in Cinco Ranch is awesome and comfortable place to reside in because the schools are very high ranked with a lot of competition," wrote another resident. "In addition to that, there are many great places to hang out, whether that may be shopping centers or parks. Great restaurants are situated in Cinco and it is a great area to go travel to other places."

Houston-area suburbs dominated the top 10 best places to live in Texas: The Woodlands (No. 5), Sugar Land (No. 6), Taylor Lake Village (No. 7), Museum Park (No. 8), Neartown - Montrose (No. 9), and Midtown Houston (No. 10).

Rounding out the top 10 best places to live in Texas are: Triangle State, a small neighborhood in Austin (No. 2); the Dallas-area suburb of Coppell (No. 3); and Alamo Heights in San Antonio (No. 4).

houston masterplanned community neighborhoods rankings real estate suburbs

room for horses, too

Katy compound with custom chicken coop hits the market at $4.5 million

Photo by Home Capture, courtesy Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

3113 Saddlebrook Lane in Katy is on the market for $4.5 million.

Many homebuyers want more than just a house. They seek somewhere that provides ample room for family and friends, in a space that has modern amenities as well as serenity.

Those homebuyers want 3113 Saddlebrook Lane in Katy. Listed at $4.5 million, it’s the most expensive home on the market in the bustling Houston suburb and is represented by Kim Rensimer of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty.

Photo by Home Capture, courtesy Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

3113 Saddlebrook Lane in Katy is on the market for $4.5 million.

With a main house, guest house, pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, and space for RV parking, this 3.82-acre property offers a lot to love.

The main residence offers 5,947 square feet of living space across two stories, with an impressive amount of natural light, six bedrooms, and four full baths. Coming through the double-door entry, it’s clear this space was made to impress. The entry’s travertine flooring offers an elegant welcome. A wine room is tucked under the main staircase. The living room’s neutral-toned walls are offset by dark wood exposed beams, creating a cozy space to unwind. Built-in shelves offer storage and display space.

The state-of-the-art kitchen is both a gathering space and a home cook’s dream, with Thermador and Liebherr appliances, a pot filler, dual sinks, quartz countertops, a breakfast nook, built-in desk, and views of the backyard. Just off the kitchen is the laundry room, with access to the three-car garage and a powder room.

The home's primary suite has its own sitting area, built-in speakers, large windows, space for a private study, and a spa-like bath. Upstairs, find four bedrooms with oversized walk-in closets.

This exquisite estate is surrounded by lush green spaces, majestic oak trees, and a serene pond, creating an idyllic setting for relaxation and outdoor activities. Horses are allowed. 3113 Saddlebrook Lane also has a custom chicken coop and custom-designed garden.

Inside and out, this Katy home has much to offer its next owners. There’s easy access to both 99 and I-10, and the home is zoned to Katy ISD. Those seeking a spot that blends modern life with rural serenity would be wise to look closely at 3113 Saddlebrook Lane.

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room for horses, too

Katy compound with custom chicken coop hits the market at $4.5 million