Considering a move between The Woodlands and Willis? Or trying to decide which suits your family better? Woodlands News has compiled the side-by-side data that matters — demographics, schools, employers, cost of living, and the practical details that determine quality of life in each.
| Category | The Woodlands | Willis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,000+ | 7,500+ |
| Median household income | $133,000 | $58,000 |
| County | Montgomery County | Montgomery County |
| State | Texas | Texas |
| Time zone | Central (CT) | Central (CT) |
| Climate | humid subtropical | humid subtropical |
| School district | Conroe ISD | Willis ISD |
| Nearest airport | IAH | IAH |
| Major highways | I-45, Hardy Toll, TX-99, Woodlands Pkwy | I-45, FM-1097 |
The Woodlands has a population of approximately 116,000+, while Willis has approximately 7,500+. Both are in Texas.
The Woodlands median household income is $133,000, compared to $58,000 in Willis.
The Woodlands students are served primarily by Conroe ISD, while Willis families typically attend Willis ISD. Both districts have a mix of public, charter, and private school options. Families relocating between the two cities often cite school quality as a primary factor.
The Woodlands has notable employers including ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, HP Enterprise, while Willis's economy is anchored by Willis ISD, HCA Houston Healthcare, Lake Conroe resorts.
Real estate prices vary significantly between the two cities, with median home values reflecting demand, school district quality, and proximity to employment centers. The Woodlands typically trends slightly higher in housing prices compared to Willis, though specific neighborhoods within each city can deviate substantially.
The Woodlands and Willis share similar humid subtropical climate patterns. The Woodlands typically experiences humid subtropical, while Willis sees humid subtropical.
The Woodlands is served by I-45, Hardy Toll, TX-99, Woodlands Pkwy with IAH as its closest airport. Willis sits along I-45, FM-1097 with IAH. Commute times and traffic patterns will vary based on where you work.
The right choice depends on your priorities. Consider:
Woodlands News covers The Woodlands in depth. For Willis, see our sister sites in the Nexcom Media network.
Subscribe to Woodlands News →This side-by-side comparison is curated by Woodlands News — an independent local news outlet part of the Nexcom Media network. Data is updated periodically. For corrections or updates, email editor@nexcom.media.
Local guides, business directory, and how to reach our readers.
Recent reporting and curated coverage across every beat we cover.
Walk into any seventh-grade classroom in The Woodlands and you'll find the usual assortment of spiral notebooks, half-finished homework, and doodles in the margins. What you won't expect — what stops people in their tracks — are the fully realized, intricately detailed manga panels that fill Harper Madison's pages from…
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026. During the meeting, the board of directors accepted the Flock Safety License Plate Reader Camera System Report, approved the new The Woodlands Express Bus Wrap Design, and...
On June 1, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office discovered a suspicious package in the 200 block of West Phillips Street. The package was located next to the deputy's patrol vehicle and was leaning against the rear wheel....
A 19-year-old is in critical condition after being shot inside a Humble home, with Harris County deputies investigating whether the shooting was accidental.
A series of bizarre sightings of people popping in and out of New York City's vast sewer system has the city wondering what exactly is going on, with police now probing the underground mystery.
A teen is hospitalized after being shot in a possible accidental shooting in Humble, according to Harris County Sheriff's Office.
"Training is key to student safety," CFISD police said on social media.
Sheriff Gonzalez said the Mueschke is shut down in both directions south of FM-2920 after an 18-wheeler unloading cinder blocks was hit by a vehicle, leaving its load scattered on the roadway.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said cinderblocks were scattered throughout the roadway, forcing it to close in both directions as crews work to clean it up.
Talks have dragged on for weeks, and repeated exchanges of strikes in the Gulf region and Israel’s broadening war in Lebanon are further straining the efforts.
Several buildings in downtown Bakersfield, Calif., are on lockdown due to a reported active bomb threat and hostage situation.
Nick Pasqual received his sentence Tuesday for the 2024 stabbing of estranged ex-girlfriend Allie Shehorn.
The father of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. says he is waiting for answers after a Brazoria County Sheriff's deputy fatally shot his son inside the garage of their Lake Jackson home.
Lightning is believed to have sparked fires at three homes in Cinco Ranch, damaging one significantly and injuring three firefighters, according to officials.
Family members, advocates and community leaders gathered in Houston to honor the life of Persia Amara Conway and call for answers as police continue investigating her death. Speakers at the vigil emphasized dignity, justice and concerns about transgender safety during Pride...
A Canadian man has been sentenced to 33 years in U.S. federal prison for a yearlong online sextortion scheme that targeted at least 145 American children.
CBS fired "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley following his public criticism of network head Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton.
Johnathan McFarland thanked the community and law enforcement while remembering his four brothers, sister and parents after multiple deadly shootings in Iowa.
A wanted suspect is dead after he barricaded himself inside an apartment in southeast Houston on Tuesday, according to the Houston Police Department.
Tensions in the Middle East remain high as the nominal ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was tested by both sides in recent days. The back-and-forth attacks come as President Donald Trump has yet to say whether he will accept the current peace deal on the table.
A Houston firefighter with over 22 years of service has been suspended following an indictment on a child grooming charge in Austin County, according to police.
The activity happened after Iran stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire in the war with the U.S. and Israel, according to reports.
Nahidah Hussein was charged with practicing medicine without a license. She's accused of causing harm during a lip filler procedure, according to court records.
Persia Amarra Conway's family is now demanding answers after the transgender woman's body was found last week along Bray's Bayou and Country Creek Drive, according to Houston police.
New scanner audio revealed a deputy reported an “accidental discharge” at the end of a chase. A 19-year-old died in the incident.
According to the La Marque Fire Department, a major gas line had ruptured at the school.
As hurricane season begins, Houston-area residents can stretch their budgets on emergency kits by shopping smart, utilizing discounts and opting for generic brands.
The police officer who's earned department, community, and county recognition for his work to keep drunk drivers off the road was arrested and charged with a DWI after allegedly showing up to work drunk.
The man known as the “Subzero” suspect was identified and arrested in North Dakota in connection with Houston-area bank robberies.
John Mendoza Jr., 18, was shot and killed by a Brazoria County Sheriff's Office deputy early Monday after what the law enforcement agency described as an attempted traffic stop that turned into a brief vehicle pursuit.
A fourth member of an Arlington family who was part of a multimillion-dollar tax fraud scheme has been sentenced.
Immigrant advocates and Democrats have raised concerns about the prospects of immigration surveillance surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, cut short on April 25 after authorities say a man stormed the Washington Hilton armed with guns and knives and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer, has been rescheduled for Friday, July 24.
One of the bodies of the 11 mysteriously missing persons that had potential ties to U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology has been discovered by a hiker in a New Mexico national forest.
From fire prevention to car safety, a Texas doctor shares the stories behind the practices now often considered common sense.
On Tuesday's show: We learn about an investigation that finds campus police officers aren't just stopping shooters--too often they're body slamming or tasing children.
Led by 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama, the lottery-built Spurs young core has brought San Antonio to its first NBA Finals in a decade.
The shooting is being investigated by the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office as well as the Texas Rangers, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, which said the deputy who fired his gun will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
More than 100 Embassy Suites employees will vote whether to authorize a strike. About 750,000 visitors are expected in the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
On Wednesday's show: With Texas' primary elections in the books, we look to other races across the country and their implications for the general election in November. Plus, we explore the music of Final Fantasy.
Free weekly digest. Local news that actually matters — no spam, no clickbait, easy unsubscribe.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never sell your data.