Quality of Life

The Katy Area is known for its excellent quality of life.  The Katy Area has a diverse population with high educational attainment, low-cost of living, an available and broad diversity of housing, and beautiful master-planned communities.  Abundant and diverse recreational opportunities are available with professional sports teams, arts and cultural opportunities, and diverse shopping and dining experiences.  The Katy Area also has growing health care options, a low crime rate, and a moderate climate.

The Quality of Life Index for The Katy Area
is greater than the national average.
U.S. Fort Bend County Harris County Waller County
100* 136 146 116
*100 = U.S. Index, over 100 is high
Source EASI, 2010 Quality of Life Index, Development Alliance

 

Low Cost of Living Index

The total of all the cost of living categories weighted subjectively as follows: housing (30%), food and groceries (15%0, transportation (10%), utilities (6%), health care (7%), and miscellaneous expenses such as clothing, services, and entertainment (32%). State and local taxes are not included in any category. Updated 6/2010.
 

 

COST OF LIVING
Katy, Texas
Houston, Texas
United States
Overall
87
91
100
Grocery
85
85
100
Health
96
96
100
Housing
74
85
100
Utilities
103
100
100
Transportation
94
100
100
Miscellaneous
97
97
100
 Source: Sperling's best places for zip code 77450
 

 

Housing

The Katy Area is well known for its affordable housing options and was rated the Number 2 Boomtown in the US by Business Week Magazine for residential growth. Newcomers here find an abundance of new homes and diversity of housing options to choose from.  

Katy is home to several award winning master planned communities including: Bridgeland, Wood Creek Reserve, Grand Lakes, Firethorne, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, and Seven Meadows.  Other communities include: Hawks Landing.

 

Housing
Katy, TX (77450)
Katy, TX (77494)
United States
12
7
33
$171,130
$232,020
$183,450

 

 

Diverse Recreation

The Katy Area offers abundant recreational opportunities including:

  • Numerous County Parks and four city parks with ball fields, soccer fields, jogging trails, picnic grounds, playgrounds, lakes, ponds and fishing piers, splash parks, and miniature golf. The Katy area is home to the outstanding 20,000+ acre George Bush Park and the Alkek Cycling Velodrome.
  • Youth sports leagues in soccer, swimming, baseball, and football.
  • Four championship golf courses in the Katy Independent School District.
  • Numerous professional sports teams: Houston Astros baseball, Houston Texans football, Houston Rockets basketball, Houston Comets ladies basketball, and the Houston Dynamo soccer team.

 

Arts, Culture, Museums and Festivals

The Katy Area has two theater companies. The Katy Performing Arts Society (KPAS) presents a variety of professional visual and performing arts to the Katy community through partnerships with local businesses, community organizations and Katy ISD. Through these partnerships, Katy KPAS brings the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet to Katy for special events and performances that educate the Katy community on the value of the arts, as well as contribute to the benefit of Katy charities. There are three art galleries in the Katy Area and several museums including the Katy Heritage Museum, Veterans Museum and Military Museum. Area festivals and events which occur throughout the year include the Katy Rice Harvest Festival and the Cinco Ranch Triathlon.

Shopping & Dining

Katy boasts one of only three true mixed-use town center developments in the greater Houston metropolitan area, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch.  Offering uptown style in old town charm, LaCenterra features upscale boutique’s and national names such as Ann Taylor Loft, Eddie Bauer, Talbots, Chico’s and Jos. A. Bank, along with salon services, choice dining options such as Fish City Gril, Kenzo Sushi, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill, class “A” office space and luxury living.  Katy Mills Mall offers over 1,200,000 sq. ft. of diverse shopping.

 Katy Mills features hundreds of the best names in retail including Last Call Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store and Kenneth Cole.

  • Historic Downtown Katy offers specialty shops, boutiques, and antiques.
     
  •  The Katy Area has 400 eating and drinking places with over 60 being full-service.
     
  • The Katy Area has 12 hotels and 10 motels with over 2,700 rooms. Five of these lodging options offer conference facilities.