How School Districts Affect Home Sales in Houston

Andy
Sep 02, 2024By Andy

When buying a home, location is everything. And in Houston, one of the biggest factors influencing home sales is the quality of the local school district. Of course, this is especially true to homebuyers in Houston with a family or planning to do so. 

high school facade building in japan traditional style visible in cartoon

With that, let's see how school districts can significantly impact property values, how quickly homes sell, and even long-term neighborhood growth!

What About Property Taxes?

In Houston, there’s a flip side to living in a top-rated school district: property taxes. Generally, homes in better school districts come with higher property taxes, since local taxes are a primary source of school funding.

Portrait of smiling elementary school girl sitting on steps in school

However, many homebuyers see this as a trade-off they’re willing to make. The benefit of better schools—and the higher home values that come with them—often outweighs the increase in property taxes.

That said, it’s important to be aware of how property taxes will affect your monthly mortgage payment and overall housing costs.

Table of top-rated school districts in the Houston Area

Here’s a table that outlines key details about some of the top-rated school districts in the Houston area. It includes specific things to know about each district, such as student-to-teacher ratio, notable schools, and unique programs.

School DistrictNotable SchoolsStudent-to-Teacher RatioUnique Programs/StrengthsThings to Know
Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD)Seven Lakes High, Tompkins High, Katy High15:1Strong athletics, Advanced Placement (AP) programs, dual languageConsistently ranked among top districts in Texas.
Cy-Fair Independent School District (Cy-Fair ISD)Cy-Fair High, Bridgeland High, Cypress Ranch High16:1Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, strong performing artsKnown for diverse extracurricular offerings and state-of-the-art facilities.
Clear Creek Independent School District (Clear Creek ISD)Clear Lake High, Clear Springs High, Clear Brook High17:1STEM programs, robotics, strong college prep focusClose to NASA, offering strong science and technology education. Ideal for families with students interested in STEM fields.
Fort Bend Independent School District (Fort Bend ISD)Clements High, Austin High, Ridge Point High15:1International Baccalaureate (IB) program, arts & culture focusHomes in this district often appreciate faster.
Spring Branch Independent School District (Spring Branch ISD)Memorial High, Stratford High, Northbrook High16:1Dual credit courses, leadership programs, strong community involvementSchools are well-regarded, but property taxes can be higher.
Conroe Independent School District (Conroe ISD)The Woodlands High, College Park High, Oak Ridge High15:1Advanced academic programs, athletics, strong arts programs

Good choice for families seeking a balance of academics and extracurriculars.