1st Advantage MortgageAbout 72% of Montgomery County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $97,701. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- First look: Montgomery County, TX
- How Montgomery County ranks in Texas
- Jobs and commutes in Montgomery County
- What it costs to live in Montgomery County
- Income in Montgomery County compared with Texas
- Montgomery County communities by population
- The counties around Montgomery County
- Debt-to-income at Montgomery County's medians
- Montgomery County demographics against Texas
- What the numbers mean for Montgomery County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Montgomery County
- Before you sign
- Other Texas guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Montgomery County, TX
Roughly 684,432 residents live in Montgomery County, Texas, 11th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 1,042 square miles, that is close to 657 residents for every square mile of land. Metro area: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 20 places in the county (15 incorporated, 5 census-designated); the largest is The Woodlands, with about 121,002 residents, or 18% of the county.
How Montgomery County ranks in Texas
- On population, Montgomery County sits near the top of Texas at 684,432, 11th highest of 254. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Montgomery County sits near the top of Texas at 49%, 14th highest of 254. High earners still overpay when they skip comparing offers.
- Montgomery County ranks 16th lowest of 254 Texas counties for the housing vacancy rate: 7%, against 9% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- The share of workers who work from home: 15.9% in Montgomery County. Only 12 of 253 Texas counties are higher. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
Jobs and commutes in Montgomery County
The biggest employer of Montgomery County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (14%). Unemployment in Montgomery County, ACS five-year: 4.6%; Texas: 5.3%. About 72% drive to work alone and 26% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 8,534 Montgomery County households, 3.4%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Montgomery County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.0% | +1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What it costs to live in Montgomery County
Renters in Montgomery County pay a median of $1,532 a month, 9% above the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 47% of Montgomery County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $346,200, about 3.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 72% of homes. Nationally, Montgomery County's $1,532 rent is 75% above the middle county.
| Montgomery County | Texas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 72% | 63% | +9.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 52% | -4.3 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | -2.4 pts |
| Median home value | $346,200 | $283,800 | 22% higher |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 29% | -1.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,532/mo | $1,403/mo | 9% higher |
Income in Montgomery County compared with Texas
At $97,701, the typical Montgomery County household income is 49% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Montgomery County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.7% | -5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.4% | -3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.3% | +3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 18.6% | +6.1 pts |
On the low end, 16% of Montgomery County households report under $35,000; at the top, 49% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Montgomery County: 9.4%; Texas: 13.8%. Gini index for Montgomery County: 0.469. For a borrower in Montgomery County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Montgomery County communities by population
The table lists the 14 largest of 20 Census places in Montgomery County, by population. Together all 20 hold about 277,952 people, so roughly 59% of residents live outside any named place. The Woodlands has the highest median household income on the list ($140,701) and Deerwood the lowest ($61,436), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Pinehurst ($731) and steepest in Oak Ridge North ($2,315). City guides exist for the linked Montgomery County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands | CDP | 121,002 | $140,701 | $1,822 | 9 mi |
| Conroe | city | 102,360 | $76,206 | $1,393 | 2 mi |
| Tomball | city | 13,655 | $78,562 | $1,226 | 16 mi |
| Willis | city | 6,878 | $68,632 | $1,268 | 9 mi |
| Pinehurst | CDP | 4,266 | $61,832 | $731 | 14 mi |
| Magnolia | city | 4,068 | $78,605 | $1,121 | 15 mi |
| Shenandoah | city | 3,705 | $61,833 | $1,418 | 8 mi |
| Oak Ridge North | city | 3,034 | $109,167 | $2,315 | 10 mi |
| Panorama Village | city | 2,525 | $77,411 | $1,494 | 6 mi |
| Montgomery | city | 2,489 | $72,917 | $1,417 | 13 mi |
| Deerwood | CDP | 2,366 | $61,436 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Roman Forest | city | 2,336 | $138,750 | $1,750 | 22 mi |
| Splendora | city | 2,131 | $85,461 | $1,190 | 21 mi |
| Woodbranch | city | 1,719 | $85,500 | $1,438 | 21 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
The counties around Montgomery County
Six nearby counties, 28 to 41 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Montgomery County's $97,701 median trails 0 of the six and beats 6; the range runs $52,324 (Walker County) to $80,397 (Waller County).
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $97,701 | $1,532/mo | 72% |
| San Jacinto County, TX | 28 mi | $65,364 | $1,060/mo | 85% |
| Walker County, TX | 31 mi | $52,324 | $1,031/mo | 56% |
| Harris County, TX | 31 mi | $74,983 | $1,401/mo | 55% |
| Grimes County, TX | 33 mi | $69,803 | $1,069/mo | 80% |
| Waller County, TX | 35 mi | $80,397 | $1,169/mo | 72% |
| Liberty County, TX | 41 mi | $68,703 | $1,044/mo | 82% |
Debt-to-income at Montgomery County's medians
Montgomery County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $97,701 a year is $8,142 of gross monthly income
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,532)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,399 a month
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,969 left for all other debt payments
Homeowners in Montgomery County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Montgomery County demographics against Texas
Bachelor's degree or higher: 39% of Montgomery County adults. The uninsured rate is 15.1%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Montgomery County | Gap to Texas | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.8% | +5.0 pts | +16.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.4% | -4.3 pts | -3.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.7% | -4.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.1% | -2.0 pts | +7.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | -2.0 pts | -2.0 pts |
| Median age | 37.2 | +1.6 yrs | -4.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 15.9% | +1.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | -0.7 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Commute length | Montgomery County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.1% |
| 60+ min | 14.3% |
What the numbers mean for Montgomery County borrowers
- Health costs. With 15% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 26% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Strong-credit shopping. Many Montgomery County households (49%) earn six figures; prequalify with several lenders at once.
- Rent squeeze. 47% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Verifying a lender from Montgomery County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Montgomery County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. State-level detail for Montgomery County borrowers is in the Texas guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Montgomery County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Other Texas guides
City guides inside Montgomery County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Montgomery County household make?
About $97,701 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% above the Texas median.
How much is rent in Montgomery County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,532 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live near The Woodlands. Which guide is mine?
This Montgomery County guide, unless your town is linked to its own city guide above.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Montgomery County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Montgomery County?
Look it up with the Texas Department of Banking, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.