Northwest Harris and The Woodlands are both intriguing places to live in Texas, with distinctive attributes that set them apart. Northwest Harris is a part of Harris County and is near Houston, benefiting from the metropolitan area's urban amenities, while The Woodlands, known for its planned communities, offers a harmonious blend of urban and suburban experiences. Merits and drawbacks present in various aspects like crime/safety, cost of living, education, economy, and other factors create an intriguing comparison between the two.
Crime rates in Northwest Harris are slightly higher, given its close proximity to Houston. Therefore, safety is a primary concern when deciding to live in or visit Northwest Harris. Alternatively, The Woodlands boasts significantly lower crime rates and a higher sense of security, making it more appealing for those prioritizing safety.
Cost of Living
Living in Northwest Harris can be more affordable in terms of cost of living, especially when compared to The Woodlands which is known for its upscale lifestyle. The Woodlands tends to have higher living costs mainly due to its real estate values and overall wealth of the area.
Income Tax
Both locations benefit from Texas' lack of state income tax, which can help take the edge off the cost of living, particularly in a higher-cost area like The Woodlands.
Property Tax
Property taxes in both locations are comparatively high, a common characteristic in Texas. The exact rates can vary slightly depending on the particular location within Northwest Harris or The Woodlands.
Sales Tax
Both Northwest Harris and The Woodlands follow Texas' state sales tax, which stands at 6.25%. However, local taxes might lift the total sales tax to 8.25% in certain circumstances.
Income
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Estimated median household income
$91,482
$104,787
Estimated per capita income
$43,231
$60,103
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
102.4
97.5
If you make $50,000 in The Woodlands, you will have to make $52,513 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
While both are flat, there's a higher chance of flooding in Northwest Harris due to its lower elevation and proximity to Houston's waterways. In contrast, The Woodlands has slightly elevated geography and a design that aims at preserving natural environments.
Geographical information
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Land area
437.4 sq. miles
23.4 sq. miles
Population density
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
4,966.1 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Northwest Harris, TX The Woodlands, TX
Education
Both places have access to quality education. However, The Woodlands has some of the highest-rated school districts in Texas, with numerous residents praising the quality of their education system. Northwest Harris, while having good schools too, does not quite match the academic achievements of The Woodlands.
Northwest Harris benefits greatly from the strong economic influx provided by Houston. Job opportunities are plentiful in and around the city, spanning diverse industries. The Woodlands, on the other hand, is home to several corporate offices and headquarters, thus providing stable employment opportunities but on a smaller scale due to its lower population.
Biggest Employers
In Northwest Harris, some of the largest employers include ExxonMobil, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Houston Methodist. Meanwhile, The Woodlands hosts headquarters to well-known companies like Anadarko Petroleum, and Woodforest National Bank, among others.
In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In The Woodlands (Montgomery County), 19.1% voted for Democrats and 79.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
2020
56.0%
27.5%
42.7%
71.4%
1.3%
1.2%
2016
54.0%
22.4%
41.6%
73.5%
4.4%
4.0%
2012
49.4%
19.1%
49.3%
79.9%
1.3%
1.0%
2008
50.5%
23.2%
48.9%
75.9%
0.6%
0.9%
2004
44.6%
21.4%
54.9%
78.2%
0.5%
0.4%
2000
43.0%
22.0%
54.4%
76.0%
2.6%
2.0%
1996
45.2%
26.5%
49.2%
65.2%
5.6%
8.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
CATHOLIC CHURCH
18.1%
12.8%
3.6%
1.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.2%
19.0%
26.8%
34.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.9%
2.2%
1.6%
1.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.4%
1.4%
0.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.7%
0.3%
1.5%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
1.1%
1.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.2%
1.7%
1.5%
Weather
Both Northwest Harris and The Woodlands experience typical Texan weather patterns. They have hot summers and comparatively cool winters. Houston's weather influences Northwest Harris, while The Woodlands' slightly northern location means marginally lower temperatures.
Weather and climate
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Temperature - Average
68.7°F
68.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
80.3%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
37%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
93%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
56%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
48.5 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0.6 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.4%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
24%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
67%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
43%
43%
Wind speed - Average
8.1 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Average climate in The Woodlands, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Northwest Harris
2018
95
95
N/A
N/A
5.1
4.1
23.5
25.2
8.7
8.4
N/A
N/A
2017
94
92
N/A
N/A
4.7
4.1
25.2
26.5
8.5
8.6
0.5
N/A
2016
93
83
N/A
N/A
5.7
4.7
23.7
25.4
8.5
8.7
0.4
N/A
2015
100
94
N/A
N/A
6.1
4.8
23.1
24.8
9.3
9.2
0.1
N/A
2014
88
85
0.28
0.28
6.7
5.1
22.3
24.5
9.6
9.4
0.1
N/A
2013
104
100
0.29
0.29
6.6
4.9
23.7
25.9
10.3
9.8
0.1
N/A
2012
107
104
0.30
0.30
7.1
5.8
24.8
25.7
10.6
10.3
0.2
N/A
2011
115
114
0.32
0.32
6.8
5.8
27.0
28.6
11.3
11.0
0.6
N/A
2010
104
103
0.26
0.26
7.5
6.2
25.0
26.0
11.1
11.0
0.8
N/A
2009
114
108
0.27
0.27
6.8
5.9
25.1
25.8
11.0
10.9
0.9
N/A
2008
104
99
0.35
0.35
8.0
6.8
24.5
26.2
11.9
11.4
1.4
N/A
2007
123
117
0.37
0.37
9.1
7.5
23.2
24.4
13.0
11.7
1.7
N/A
2006
130
115
0.39
0.39
9.0
7.9
25.0
27.0
11.6
11.4
1.5
N/A
2005
132
120
0.42
0.42
9.7
8.3
25.3
27.3
13.3
12.9
2.6
N/A
2004
125
108
0.44
0.44
10.0
8.4
22.9
24.8
N/A
N/A
2.8
N/A
2003
144
118
0.62
0.62
10.8
9.1
23.5
25.1
N/A
N/A
2.4
N/A
2002
124
116
0.55
0.55
10.5
8.9
22.5
24.7
N/A
N/A
1.5
N/A
2001
148
136
0.44
0.44
12.0
9.7
22.2
23.9
N/A
N/A
2.0
N/A
2000
133
130
0.50
0.50
10.8
8.3
23.0
25.6
N/A
N/A
2.1
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
179.3%
172.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
67.9%
69.8%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
30%
Transportation
As a part of the larger Houston metropolitan area, Northwest Harris enjoys a well-connected public transportation system. On the other hand, The Woodlands has limited public transit options but the community design favors easy commuting within the area. Long-distance travel might necessitate a personal vehicle more frequently.
Transport
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
FAA registered aircraft
0
114
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
5
Means of transportation to work
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Bicycle
0.1%
0.1%
Bus
2.5%
0.1%
Carpooled
11.3%
8%
Car alone
81.5%
90.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
0.8%
0.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Average
31.3 min
29.7 min
Real Estate
Northwest Harris, being closer to Houston, sees a variety of real estate options, from affordable homes to luxury condos. On the other hand, The Woodlands, known for its curated communities, often features upscale real estate with a higher average cost.
Neighborhoods
Northwest Harris has diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods with many offering affordable housing options. Alternatively, The Woodlands is lauded for its well-planned, distinct villages that each encapsulate a unique charm and lifestyle.
Houses and residents
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
Houses
149,181
47,091
Average household size (people)
2.9
2.7
Houses occupied
141,708 (95%)
43,992 (93.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
100,076 (70.6%)
33,234 (75.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
41,632 (29.4%)
10,758 (24.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,182
$2,788
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$300,799
$462,579
Estimated median house or condo value
$307,883
$429,500
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.8
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
7.5
8.3
Renting percentage
28.6%
23.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
341.1
2,011.7
Household income disparities
38.3%
40.6%
Housing units without a mortgage
15,158 (16.5%)
137 (0.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
105 (0.1%)
227 (1.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
76,541 (83.5%)
17,963 (99.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
3,826 (4.2%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
4,244 (4.6%)
624 (3.4%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.3%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
12,608
2,786
State government workers
7,312
1,635
Unpaid family workers
552
146
Industries and Occupations
The industries in Northwest Harris are quite diverse, encompassing sectors like healthcare, petroleum, and aerospace owing to the vicinity of Houston. In The Woodlands, many residents are employed in the professional, scientific, and technical services, along with oil and gas extraction.
Both locations have quality healthcare services. Northwest Harris, being near Houston, has access to numerous top-tier medical facilities, while The Woodlands is also home to several highly-rated hospitals and clinics.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Northwest Harris has the advantage of being closer to Houston, meaning superior infrastructure including health, transportation, and community services. The Woodlands, though well-planned, slightly lags behind in direct access to urban amenities due to its semi-suburban location.
Infrastructure
Type
Northwest Harris
The Woodlands
TV stations
27
26
Culture and Food
The Woodlands offers a rich, diverse culture and an array of dining options - from high-end restaurants to homely street food. Being near Houston, Northwest Harris borrows much of the city's ethnic diversity and its culinary scene is equally diverse with plenty of choices.
Sports Teams
Northwest Harris, being in close proximity to Houston, carries the advantage of hosting popular sports teams across various sporting events. The Woodlands, while not hosting any major league teams, has a robust community sports presence with high school team games playing a big part in local culture.
Northwest Harris, TX
The Woodlands, TX
