The Woodlands vs Kingwood: Which Fits Your Move?
Both are wooded master-planned communities north of Houston that were planned in the 1970s. The Woodlands is larger, pricier and has its own Township government. Kingwood is part of the City of Houston, costs less, and is closer to Bush Airport. Here is how they compare.
| The Woodlands | Kingwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price, last 12 months | $600,500 (1,686 sales), up 2% from $590,000 | $300,000 to $410,000 depending on the area (1,071 sales across HAR’s four Kingwood areas) |
| Median price per square foot | $224 | $137 to $149 |
| Median days to sell | 18 | 26 to 28 (50 in Kingwood NW/Oakhurst) |
| Government | The Woodlands Township (unincorporated); Montgomery County and part of Harris County | City of Houston, annexed in 1996 |
| School districts | Mostly Conroe ISD; Creekside Park is Tomball ISD | Mostly Humble ISD; a few Montgomery County sections are New Caney ISD |
| Property taxes, example | A $588,000 home pays about $10,800 a year, about $8,880 with the homestead exemption (with a typical MUD) | A $350,000 home pays about $8,420, about $6,010 with the homestead exemption |
| Drive to Downtown | About 38 minutes, 57 to 76 at rush hour | About 40 minutes, 60 to 80 at rush hour |
| Drive to Bush Airport | About 35 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| Hurricane Harvey flood claims | ZIP 77380: 331; 77381: 70; 77382: 11 | ZIP 77339: 857; 77345: 597 |
Sales figures: HAR MLS (Houston Association of Realtors) closed sales of single-family homes, townhomes and condos, November 2025 through October 2026, compared with November 2024 through October 2025, by HAR market area; pulled by Compean Group November 9, 2026. Data not verified or guaranteed by the MLS. Tax examples, drive times, flood shares and school notes come from our neighborhood guides, where each source is cited. Kingwood is HAR’s Kingwood East, NW/Oakhurst, South and West market areas; medians: East $410,000 (409 sales), NW/Oakhurst $372,500 (100), South $362,500 (82), West $299,995 (480).
Prices
The Woodlands’ median sale was $600,500 over the last 12 months, with 1,686 sales. Kingwood’s four HAR areas ranged from $299,995 (Kingwood West) to $410,000 (Kingwood East). For the same budget, Kingwood usually buys more house; The Woodlands buys proximity to the Waterway, Market Street and the Woodlands Mall.
Schools
Most of The Woodlands is Conroe ISD, split between The Woodlands High and The Woodlands College Park High; Creekside Park is Tomball ISD. Kingwood is mostly Humble ISD, with Kingwood High and Kingwood Park High, and a few Montgomery County sections are New Caney ISD.
Flooding
Kingwood sits on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston, and Harvey produced 857 flood insurance claims in ZIP 77339 and 597 in 77345. The Woodlands had far fewer. Check every address on the flood map and get a flood insurance quote either way.
Which fits your move
Choose The Woodlands for its amenities, newer villages and Conroe ISD. Choose Kingwood for lower prices, City of Houston services and a shorter drive to Bush Airport.
Questions buyers ask about The Woodlands and Kingwood
Is Kingwood cheaper than The Woodlands?
Yes. The Woodlands’ median sale was $600,500 over the last 12 months; Kingwood’s HAR areas ranged from about $300,000 to $410,000 (HAR MLS, November 2025 through October 2026).
Is Kingwood part of Houston?
Yes. The City of Houston annexed Kingwood in 1996. The Woodlands is unincorporated and run by The Woodlands Township.
Which is closer to Bush Airport?
Kingwood, at about 30 minutes without traffic, compared with about 35 minutes from The Woodlands.
Talk with our team
Related guides: The Woodlands guide · Kingwood guide · The Woodlands vs Spring · MUD and PID taxes
Updated November 9, 2026