🏡 2024 Houston Suburban Report Cards – Full Rankings & Market Trends (MLS-backed data)

Houston’s suburbs saw major shifts in 2024, with some markets thriving while others cooled. Using HAR MLS-backed data, we’ve broken down which suburbs saw the most growth, where home prices surged, and where buyers had the most negotiating power. Plus, we compare how these rankings stack up against 2023 trends and offer insights into why these changes happened and what they mean for 2025.

📈 Fastest Growing Suburbs (Total Sales & New Construction)

Katy continues to dominate as the fastest-growing suburb, with over 6,000 homes sold and more than 3,500 new construction closings in 2024. This follows a similar trend from 2023 when Katy also led in growth, though the sales volume has slightly declined as more inventory comes to market. Katy’s boom is largely tied to its top-ranked school district, which continues to attract families, and its affordable new construction in master-planned communities like Sunterra. Cypress followed closely, with steady resale demand and ongoing new construction growth, but it didn’t see as sharp of an increase as last year due to uncertainty over the transition of Bridgeland’s new homes into Waller ISD. Fulshear remained a hot spot for builders, but increased inventory meant homes sat longer than in 2023. Richmond/Rosenberg showed strong demand but experienced a slight slowdown in absorption rates compared to its rapid expansion in 2023.

• Katy: 6,000+ total home sales, 3,500+ new builds (down slightly from 2023, but still dominant due to affordability & schools)

• Cypress: Consistent demand, both resale and new builds (similar to 2023 trends, but some hesitancy due to school district shifts)

• Fulshear: High growth, but more inventory slowed urgency (2023 saw faster home sales; affordability may become a concern)

• Richmond/Rosenberg: Strong builder presence but slower closings vs. 2023 (new construction creating more resale competition)

💡 Market takeaway: Katy remains the top growth suburb, but it’s showing early signs of stabilization. Cypress held steady, but demand for Bridgeland slowed with its transition to Waller ISD. Buyers looking for the best deals on new construction should watch how incentives shift in 2025 as builders try to maintain momentum.

💰 Best Home Price Appreciation (Biggest Value Gains)

The Woodlands continues to lead in price appreciation, with median home prices surpassing $650,000 in 2024, following a similar trend from 2023. The luxury market remained competitive, but homes took slightly longer to sell this year compared to last. Cypress also saw strong price growth, keeping it a prime suburb for appreciation. Fulshear’s high-end new construction kept prices rising, though the pace of appreciation slowed compared to last year. Katy, which saw strong appreciation in 2023, had a more balanced market in 2024 as price increases leveled off.

• The Woodlands: $650K+ median price, the luxury market remains strong (similar to 2023 trends, but demand slowed slightly)

• Cypress: Consistent price increases, high demand (stronger appreciation than in 2023, likely due to resale demand over new builds)

• Fulshear: High-end new construction kept values rising (appreciation slower than last year, as more inventory hit the market)

• Katy: Still appreciating but at a slower pace (2023 saw sharper price jumps; buyers now have more options with new construction incentives)

💡 Market takeaway: Buyers prioritized affordability in 2024, which is why Cypress and Fulshear saw mixed results. The Woodlands remains a steady investment, but growth is more controlled as affordability concerns rise. If inflation continues to stabilize, we could see a resurgence of higher-end home purchases in 2025.

⏳ Most Competitive Markets (Fastest-Selling Homes – Lowest DOM)

Katy had the fastest-moving homes in 2024, with an average of 21 days on market (DOM) before a sale—slightly longer than in 2023, when homes were flying off the market even faster. Cypress remained competitive but allowed buyers slightly more time to make decisions. Fulshear, which saw homes moving quickly last year, had a slower pace in 2024 due to rising inventory. The Woodlands saw similar trends to last year, with high-end properties taking longer to move, while mid-tier homes remained competitive.

• Katy: 21 DOM, homes moved fast in 2024 (slightly slower than 2023, but still a strong seller’s market)

• Cypress: Slightly longer DOM but still a strong seller’s market (consistent with 2023, though more choices for buyers)

• Fulshear: Demand remained high, but inventory led to longer sales cycles (faster-moving in 2023)

• The Woodlands: Luxury homes moved slower, but mid-tier homes remained competitive (similar to 2023 trends)

💡 Market takeaway: The shift in buyer demand in 2024 prioritized affordability and maintenance-free homes, leading new construction-heavy areas like Katy to remain competitive, while higher-priced resale markets saw slower sales.

🔎 What This Means for 2025 Buyers & Sellers

• Buyers in 2025 will still prioritize affordability but will focus more on homes in areas closer to commercial developments rather than just new builds far from major job centers. The demand for proximity to conveniences could make suburbs like Cypress more attractive if pricing adjusts accordingly.

• Sellers in areas with high builder activity (like Richmond and Fulshear) may find it harder to compete against new construction incentives. If you’re selling in 2025, pricing smartly and offering competitive upgrades will be key.

• Resale homes in premium locations are regaining their appeal, as some buyers get fatigued with commuting long distances from newer developments. This could increase demand in The Woodlands, Cypress, and closer-in parts of Katy.

• Builder incentives are becoming more aggressive, with closing cost assistance and interest rate buydowns now standard. Buyers should take advantage of these offers while they last, especially in areas where inventory is climbing.

📢 What do you think—did your suburb rank where you expected? Let me know your thoughts! 👇