Skip to main content

The Woodlands has been named the “#1 Best City to Live in America” by Niche.com, achieving an overall A+ Niche grade in the national survey. Throughout its 47-year history, The Woodlands continues to be one of the most acclaimed master planned communities in the country and has consistently been in the top ten rankings of Niche.com in its annual list of the best places to live, work and play in the country.

“We are excited and honored to be ranked as the #1 community in America, continuing our consistent top rankings. The Howard Hughes Corporation is proud to be the developer of The Woodlands from implementing the original vision of founder George Mitchell to the continued design and curation of our award-winning master planned community today,” said Jim Carman, President – Houston Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We have developed a community that residents and companies are proud to call home, where families and businesses can thrive.”

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of various factors including community safety, quality public education, a favorable cost of living, job opportunities and local amenities, to name a few.

“Our rankings methodology uses data sets combined with reviews and ratings from residents in the community, so The Woodlands reached the top simply by being an excellent place to live — both by the numbers and straight from the mouths of people who call it home,” said Natalie Tsay of Niche.com. “ I grew up in Texas, so I was completely thrilled to see The Woodlands recognized as Niche’s #1 City this year!”

The Woodlands achieved the following Niche rankings:

Best Cities to Live in America #1 of 228

Best Cities to Buy a House in America #2 of 228

Best Cities to Raise a Family in America #2 of 228

Cities with the Best Public Schools in America #6 of 228

Best Cities to Retire in America #7 of 228

The Woodlands is a 28,800-acre, forested master planned community with 119,000 residents. Nearly 2,200 businesses and corporations have found a home in The Woodlands, providing jobs for over 66,000 employees.

Among the amenities that residents find so appealing are 220 miles of hike and bike trails and 148 parks, which are punctuated by nature and towering trees, highly-rated public and private schools, world-class shopping, recreation and entertainment highlighted by The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, superior quality healthcare as well as the thriving economic and urban environments of The Woodlands Town Center, Hughes Landing and The Woodlands Waterway.

The Woodlands leads the way among master planned communities that practice environmental preservation. The Woodlands devotes an unprecedented 28% of its community—nearly 8,000 acres—to trails, parks, golf courses and greenbelts which will remain undeveloped green space at full build-out.

Carman added, “The Woodlands is my hometown, and it truly is a wonderful place to live, work, play, learn and discover. The Howard Hughes Corporation is also proud to call The Woodlands home to our headquarters, like so many other businesses that put quality of life for their team members at the top of their priority list.”