The Katy, TX home-buyer's guide.

Frequently Asked

Katy questions, answered.

• What ZIP codes does Katy, TX cover?

  Katy spans the 77449, 77450, 77493, and 77494 ZIP codes west of Houston along the I-10 corridor. The name also covers ground in three counties and more than one school district, so "Katy" on a listing does not by itself tell you the district, the tax structure, or the price tier.

• Which school district serves Katy, TX?

  Katy ISD covers most of the area, with Lamar CISD picking up along the edges — Cross Creek Ranch, for example, is Lamar CISD rather than Katy ISD. Because the district itself can change between neighboring communities, confirm the specific attendance zone for any address at txschools.gov before writing an offer.

• What's the difference between Cinco Ranch, Cane Island, and Cross Creek Ranch?

  Cinco Ranch is established, with deep resale history and a long track record. Cane Island is newer and lake-centered. Cross Creek Ranch is premium and zoned to Lamar CISD rather than Katy ISD. Pricing, HOA structure, attendance zone, and how much new-construction supply is still coming online vary meaningfully across the three, which is why comparing them on median price alone is misleading.

• What do Barker Reservoir and Hurricane Harvey mean for buying in Katy?

  Flood risk in Katy has to be verified at the street level, not the subdivision level, and reservoir operations are part of that picture — releases and pool levels affected specific areas during Harvey in ways a broad flood-zone map does not capture. Pull the property's actual flood-zone designation and its claim and repair history, and ask directly about water intrusion during Harvey rather than relying on a general statement about the neighborhood.

• What's the commute from Katy to the Energy Corridor or downtown?

  I-10 (the Katy Freeway) and the Westpark Tollway are the two main routes, with the Energy Corridor being the closest major employment center for most Katy residents. Actual drive time varies widely by where in Katy you start and what time you leave — the 7:45am weekday reality is the number worth testing before you commit to an address.

• What should I verify before writing an offer in Katy?

  The MUD tax rate for the specific community, HOA reserve health, and the exact Katy ISD or Lamar CISD attendance zone. Also look at how much new construction the builder still has to sell nearby: in an active master-planned community, builder inventory sets the comp your resale will compete against, and that pressure is easy to miss when you are only comparing finished homes.

• Is there a cost?

  No. The PDF is free. CGP Realty Group is a Houston-area real estate team brokered by eXp Realty, we earn when we represent you on a transaction, not when you download a guide.