At a whopping 15,000 acres, Kingwood is the largest master-planned community in Harris County. Kingwood was founded in 1971 with only a few thousand people populating the area in its early years. Today, Kingwood is home to upwards of 80,000 residents.

Buying a Home in Kingwood

Homes in Kingwood

The real estate market in Kingwood is large and varied. At the time of this writing, there are 326 homes for sale, according to Neighborhoods.com listings. The median sale price is in the low $200s—which is in the ballpark of Houston’s median sale price—but you’re likely to find something a lot larger for a lot cheaper in Kingwood. Snagging a single-family home for less than $300,000 in Houston’s inner-loop is not easy, but Kingwood has plenty of three-plus bedroom houses with wooded backyards well below that mark, some even in the low $100s.

Not only is Kingwood more affordable than Houston, the community is also cheaper than other nearby master-planned communities. With a median sale price in the mid $300s, the Woodlands is roughly $86,000 more expensive than Kingwood.

You can find some attached homes like condos and townhomes here, but like most suburban communities, Kingwood primarily features single-family residences. Cul-de-sacs in the area are lined with a mix of late 20th century ranch style homes, two-story brick houses, and everything in between. 

Urban Proximity

Kingwood community

Since Kingwood is located roughly 30 miles northeast of Houston, a majority of residents commute to the city for work. Kingwood connects directly to Downtown Houston via I-69, which can get congested during typical commuting hours. On an average day, expect a 45-minute commute. Wrecks, flooding, and construction—not uncommon occurrences—can extend that to an hour or longer.

But, there are options to shave off travel times and boost convenience. Carpooling will give commuters access to the speedy HOV lane. Also, the Metro operates a park and ride station in Kingwood that provides public transit service to Downtown.

Suburban Tranquility

Golf course in Kingwood

Kingwood is known as “The Livable Forest,” a moniker the community definitely lives up to. Over 500 acres of parks and greenery blanket Kingwood. The Greenbelt, a hike and bike trail spanning 75 miles, weaves through lush pine forests along small creeks and trout ponds. Residents use this intricate trail system for dog-walking, jogging, leisurely family strolls, and as a safe, off-road bikeway for commuting and running errands.

Kingwood also features four major parks, all of which are accessible via the greenbelt: River Grove Park with a boat launch, boardwalk, and 18-hole disc golf course; Deer Ridge Park with sports fields and a duck pond; East End Park, a nature and wildlife preserve attracting hikers, birders, and other outdoor-enthusiasts; and the wooded, untouched Creekwood Nature Area. 

Other area parks include the Dylan Duncan Memorial Skatepark with ramps and rails, and the Clubs of Kingwood, a family-friendly network of country clubs with golf courses, tennis courts, pools, and a fitness facility.

Family Appeal

Community pool in Kingwood

The community contains around 20 schools including public, private, magnet, and Montessori. Kingwood Middle and Kingwood High, both serving large swaths of area students, are ranked 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools. Many of Kingwood’s public schools have impressive 9 and 10 ratings.

Playgrounds occupy toddlers and young children; pre-teens play laser tag and mini-golf at the Swords and Superheroes arcade; and teens frequent the movie theater or Deerbrook Mall in nearby Humble. Also, Kingwood is divided into villages, and each village offers family-friendly amenities like community clubhouses, playgrounds, and pools. 

What It’s Like to Live Here

Kingwood community area

Kingwood is a place for those wanting a little bit of everything: nature and serenity, a suburban sense of community, and urban convenience. Residents are active in over 100 civic clubs accommodating a wide variety of hobbies and interests including sports, politics, religion, music, writing, and photography.

Town Center Park hosts farmers markets and events throughout the year, bringing neighbors together. The Mardi Gras Festival, spring and fall car shows, Fourth of July Parade, and Christmas in the Park are annual community celebrations hosted in the park. 

Kingwood is an all-inclusive place to live, home to major grocery stores like HEB and Randalls as well as the organic market Natural Kitchen. Cafes and delis dot Highway 59, and shopping centers like King’s Harbor and Kingwood Commons offer clothing stores and restaurants.