Data Guide · 2026

Houston Neighborhoods Ranked by School Rating & Crime Grade

Every Houston neighborhood scored by school quality (1–10) and crime grade (A+ to F). 122 neighborhoods covered — find your perfect fit.

By Chris Harris, REALTOR® · Updated July 2026 · 122 neighborhoods · Harris County

Choosing a neighborhood in Houston means balancing school quality, safety, price, and lifestyle — and the data rarely lives in one place. This guide pulls it all together: 122 Houston neighborhoods ranked side-by-side by school rating and crime grade, so you can filter by what matters most to you.

The average school rating across Houston neighborhoods is 6.7/10. The top-rated neighborhood is Crestwood-Glen Cove (9/10), and the safest is Crestwood-Glen Cove (crime grade: A).

What’s in this guide
Top Tier: Highest School Ratings Strong Performers: School Rating 8 Best Value: Strong Schools Under $450,000 Full Rankings Table (122 Neighborhoods) Frequently Asked Questions

Elite Tier — School Rating 9–10

These Houston neighborhoods have the highest school ratings in the metro — ideal for families where school quality is the top priority.

Tanglewood
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A-   Median: $1.6M

Tanglewood is Houston's most coveted zip code — estate homes 20 minutes from downtown with the Houston Arboretum as a backyard and River Oaks District shopping within a mile. Listings here spend less time on market than anywhere else in the metro.

Crestwood-Glen Cove
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $1.3M

Crestwood-Glen Cove borders Memorial Park's 1,500 acres and sits under five miles from downtown — luxury homes on tree-lined streets with hiking, biking, and a community culture that buyers pay up to join.

River Oaks
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $1.1M

River Oaks is Houston's most storied neighborhood — diverse architectural grandeur, the River Oaks Shopping Center, and a Christmas light season that draws the whole city. These homes set the pricing ceiling for the entire metro.

Spring Valley
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $904k

Spring Valley's upscale estates on large lots represent the gold standard of Houston suburban living — highly rated schools, City Park, and the kind of street privacy that only comes with genuine acreage.

Afton Oaks
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A-   Median: $832k

Afton Oaks delivers River Oaks adjacency at a measurable discount — oak-lined streets, walkable access to River Oaks District luxury shopping, and Memorial Park a short drive away. Buyers who can't quite reach River Oaks pricing find exactly what they came for.

University Place
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $826k

University Place wraps around Rice University and Hermann Park — one of Houston's most walkable neighborhoods with museum district access, the Texas Medical Center minutes away, and historic residential subdivisions that hold value across every market cycle.

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Strong Tier — School Rating 8

School rating 8/10 neighborhoods offer excellent education at a more accessible price point than the elite tier.

Westbranch
Schools: 8/10   Crime: A-   Median: $171k

Westbranch's easy Beltway 8 and I-10 access, Independence Park recreation, and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD school zone make it the most logistically practical affordable suburban option in west Houston — CityCentre shopping within reach and downtown under 20 minutes.

Langham Creek
Schools: 8/10   Crime: A-   Median: $172k

Langham Creek is quintessential west Texas suburb — newer homes on landscaped lots, parks, an excellent school district, and Highway 6 and I-10 access that makes Katy and Energy Corridor employers both reachable without living in either.

Willowbrook
Schools: 8/10   Crime: A-   Median: $174k

Willowbrook is northwest Houston's family retail hub — Willowbrook Mall, iT'Z Family Food and Fun, Yeager Elementary and Cypress Creek High both highly rated, and the diverse shopping and entertainment infrastructure that makes this one of the metro's most self-contained suburban corridors.

Hearthstone
Schools: 8/10   Crime: A-   Median: $194k

Hearthstone's country club setting in Cypress gives buyers golf, Owens Elementary and Cypress Falls High both highly rated, and Copperwood Village for daily shopping — the full northwest Houston suburban package at a price that leaves room in the budget for the membership.

Steeplechase
Schools: 8/10   Crime: B+   Median: $205k

Steeplechase is classic American suburb done right — well-maintained homes on sidewalk-lined streets, neighborhood parks and pools, an active HOA that keeps the community genuinely sharp, and northwest Houston positioning that gives families space without sacrificing schools.

Best Value — Strong Schools Under $450,000

These Houston neighborhoods combine a school rating of 7 or higher with a median home price under $450,000 — the sweet spot for value-focused families.

Woodsons Reserve
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $437k

Woodson's Reserve blends forested nature with master-planned amenities — trails through preserved greenspace, pools, a clubhouse, highly rated schools, and a crime rate below the national average. North Houston families who find it rarely look elsewhere.

Oak Forest-Garden Oaks
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A-   Median: $398k

Oak Forest-Garden Oaks blends suburban lot sizes with urban amenities — large yards, local eateries, T.C. Jester Park, and Oak Forest Elementary among the metro's most highly rated schools. Buyers who want space without sacrificing school quality find their answer here.

Energy Corridor
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $385k

The Energy Corridor is Houston's corporate employment anchor — major oil and gas headquarters, George Bush Park parkland, and Katy ISD schools that consistently outperform the national average. Families and executives relocating for work make this the most demand-stable suburban corridor in the metro.

Meyerland Area
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A-   Median: $372k

Meyerland is Houston's classic Jewish family neighborhood — highly rated schools, Brays Bayou trail access, Meyerland Plaza shopping, and a community identity so strong that buyers specifically target it by name. Low turnover means competition is real when listings appear.

Aliana
Schools: 9/10   Crime: A   Median: $364k

Aliana sits in Fort Bend County with access to one of Texas's top-rated school districts — walking trails, two large shopping centers, playgrounds, and the kind of new-construction quality that keeps relocation buyers from looking anywhere else in the southwest suburbs.

Full Houston Neighborhood Rankings

All 122 neighborhoods sorted by school rating (highest first), then crime grade, then median price. Use this table to quickly compare any area side-by-side.

NeighborhoodSchool RatingCrime GradeMedian PriceWalk Score
Louetta9/10A$170k25/100
Grand Mission9/10A$237k30/100
Eldridge North9/10A$258k30/100
Summerwood9/10A$265k25/100
Aliana9/10A$364k30/100
Energy Corridor9/10A$385k35/100
Woodsons Reserve9/10A$437k30/100
Memorial9/10A$735k30/100
Windsor Park Lakes9/10A$761k25/100
University Place9/10A$826k68/100
Spring Valley9/10A$904k30/100
River Oaks9/10A$1.1M45/100
Crestwood-Glen Cove9/10A$1.3M40/100
Champions9/10A-$215k35/100
Briar Village9/10A-$235k25/100
Clear Lake9/10A-$239k40/100
Klein9/10A-$243k35/100
Kingwood9/10A-$252k30/100
Lake Houston9/10A-$254k25/100
Briar Forest9/10A-$315k35/100
Cottage Grove9/10A-$341k50/100
Meyerland Area9/10A-$372k45/100
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks9/10A-$398k45/100
Braeswood Place9/10A-$513k50/100
Afton Oaks9/10A-$832k45/100
Tanglewood9/10A-$1.6M35/100
Westbranch8/10A-$171k30/100
Langham Creek8/10A-$172k25/100
Willowbrook8/10A-$174k35/100
Hearthstone8/10A-$194k30/100
Brookhollow West8/10A-$216k35/100
Oak Lake8/10A-$233k25/100
Willow Meadows Willowbend8/10A-$263k40/100
Woodbridge8/10A-$268k30/100
Lazy Brook Timbergrove8/10A-$419k60/100
Museum Park8/10A-$420k70/100
Greenway-Upper Kirby8/10A-$449k58/100
Greater Heights8/10A-$491k62/100
Memorial Park8/10A-$577k55/100
Steeplechase8/10B+$205k30/100
Lakemont8/10B+$257k25/100
Washington Avenue Coalition8/10B+$310k65/100
Sixth Ward8/10B+$337k58/100
Memorial Heights8/10B+$353k62/100
Rice Military8/10B+$406k62/100
Spring Branch East8/10B+$421k50/100
Westchase8/10B$292k45/100
Northwest Park7/10B+$173k30/100
Addicks-Park Ten7/10B+$190k30/100
Westbury7/10B+$220k40/100
Berkshire7/10B+$223k25/100
Mid-West7/10B+$225k40/100
Spring Shadows7/10B+$262k40/100
Uptown-Galleria District7/10B+$445k55/100
Montrose7/10B+$455k72/100
Eastwood7/10B$226k62/100
Downtown Houston7/10B$238k82/100
East Downtown7/10B$259k75/100
Midtown7/10B$264k78/100
Spring Branch Central7/10B$275k42/100
Spring Branch West7/10B$276k40/100
MacGregor7/10B$306k55/100
Recreation Farms7/10B$312k25/100
Greater Inwood6/10B+$149k40/100
Chinatown6/10B$136k55/100
Sharpstown6/10B$139k45/100
Alief6/10B$146k40/100
North Houston6/10B$151k35/100
Inwood North6/10B$152k40/100
Glencairn6/10B$154k25/100
Carverdale6/10B$157k30/100
Braeburn6/10B$159k40/100
Greater Hobby Area6/10B$165k35/100
Brays Oaks6/10B$167k40/100
South Main6/10B$169k55/100
Fairbanks-Northwest Crossing6/10B$175k40/100
Southbelt-Ellington6/10B$176k35/100
Minnetex6/10B$182k25/100
Lawndale-Wayside6/10B$188k50/100
Ryon6/10B$189k55/100
Independence Heights6/10B$191k55/100
Third Ward6/10B$211k58/100
Second Ward6/10B$218k60/100
Northside Village6/10B$224k58/100
Gulfton6/10C+$234k55/100
Astrodome5/10C+$105k60/100
Hunterwood5/10C+$134k25/100
OST-South Union5/10C+$135k55/100
Fort Bend Houston5/10C+$140k25/100
Golfcrest-Bellfort Reveille5/10C+$141k40/100
Hidden Valley5/10C+$145k30/100
Northside-Northline5/10C+$147k50/100
El Dorado/Oates Prairie5/10C+$148k40/100
Central Southwest5/10C+$150k45/100
Fifth Ward5/10C+$153k50/100
Northside5/10C+$155k45/100
Acres Homes5/10C+$162k45/100
Pecan Park5/10C$129k40/100
East Aldine5/10C$130k35/100
Magnolia Park5/10C$131k50/100
Meadowbrook Allendale5/10C$132k45/100
South Acres-Crestmont Park5/10C$133k35/100
North Shore5/10C$137k35/100
Eastex-Jensen5/10C$138k50/100
Edgebrook5/10C$142k40/100
Fondren Gardens5/10C$143k40/100
Gulfgate-Pine Valley5/10C$144k50/100
Westwood4/10C$62k40/100
South Park4/10C$108k35/100
Clinton Park Tri Community4/10C$109k35/100
Pleasantville4/10C$115k40/100
East Houston4/10C$116k40/100
Harrisburg Manchester4/10C$117k50/100
Park Place4/10C$118k50/100
Frenchtown4/10C$119k55/100
Trinity-Houston Gardens4/10C$120k40/100
Denver Harbor/Port Houston4/10C$121k50/100
Kashmere Gardens4/10C$122k45/100
East Little York4/10C$124k40/100
Greenspoint4/10C$126k35/100
Settegast4/10C$127k45/100
Sunnyside4/10C$128k45/100
Pro tip: Sort by median price in your head — neighborhoods at the same school rating with lower prices often represent the best value. The quiz below does this scoring automatically for your specific budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Houston neighborhood has the best schools?

Tanglewood has the highest school rating in the Houston metro at 9/10, with a median home price of $1.6M. For buyers under $450k, Woodsons Reserve offers a 9/10 school rating at $437k.

What is the safest neighborhood in Houston?

Crestwood-Glen Cove earns the top crime grade in Houston (A), with a median home price of $1.3M.

Which Houston neighborhood has the best schools and lowest crime?

For the best combination of schools and safety, Tanglewood (9/10 schools, A- crime, $1.6M median) ranks at the top. For value buyers, Woodsons Reserve offers 9/10 schools at $437k.

What are the worst neighborhoods in Houston for crime?

Neighborhoods with lower crime grades in Houston include Gulfgate-Pine Valley (C), Fondren Gardens (C), Edgebrook (C). These areas tend to have more affordable home prices as a trade-off.

What Houston neighborhoods have good schools under $450,000?

For buyers with a budget under $450,000, the best school ratings in Houston belong to Woodsons Reserve (9/10 schools, $437k), Oak Forest-Garden Oaks (9/10 schools, $398k), Energy Corridor (9/10 schools, $385k).

How does NeighborSeek rank Houston neighborhoods?

NeighborSeek ranks Houston neighborhoods using a composite score that weighs school rating (1–10 scale) and crime grade (A+ to F scale based on reported crime statistics). The table on this page sorts by school rating first, then crime grade, then median home price.

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