Last updated August 7, 2026 · Based on real tracked data across 23 North Houston communities
UPDATED WEEKLYNORTH HOUSTON NEW CONSTRUCTION
New Construction Near The Woodlands, TX: Ranked by Real Commute Time
Quick answer:
The Woodlands itself has almost no new-construction inventory left, it is largely built out. Based on real commute-time tracking, Grand Central Park is currently the nearest new-construction option at roughly 15 minutes away, with 8 communities total within a 30-minute commute. Full ranked list, real pricing, and this week's tracked deals below.
If you've searched for new construction in The Woodlands and come up mostly empty, that's not a search problem, it's reality. The Woodlands has been developed since the 1970s and is now one of the most built-out master-planned communities in the Houston area. What's actually available today is new construction in the communities that surround it, many built by the same national builders, often at lower price points, within a short and very real commute.
We track real commute times, pricing, and builder incentives across 23 North Houston communities every week. Below is every community we track within 30 minutes of The Woodlands, ranked by actual drive time, not marketing copy.
On this page:
Why “Near” The Woodlands, Not “In” It
The Woodlands was founded in 1974 and has grown into a fully mature community of roughly 120,000 residents, with its own town center, hospital systems, and corporate campuses. That maturity is exactly why new construction is scarce: most buildable land was developed years ago, and what remains tends to be infill lots or high-end custom builds rather than the production-home communities most new-construction buyers are comparing.
That pushed new development north and west, into Magnolia, Conroe, and Montgomery, where land is available and the same builders active in The Woodlands historically (Toll Brothers, David Weekley, Highland Homes, Perry Homes) are now building. The result: buyers who want a short commute to The Woodlands' jobs, schools, and amenities, without paying resale prices for an older home, are better served looking at what's actually available nearby.
Communities Near The Woodlands, Ranked by Commute Time
Conroe, TX · From $350K · Tax rate 2.76% · ~15 min to The Woodlands
Grand Central Park is Conroe's most commuter-friendly master-planned community, sitting right off I-45. The community's biggest selling point is its 2.76% tax rate, the lowest of any major community on our tracking list.
Builders: Chesmar, Coventry, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes and 5 more
Spring, TX · From $440K · Tax rate ~2.5% · ~15 min to The Woodlands
Woodson's Reserve is a master-planned community in Spring featuring Tri Pointe Homes and Toll Brothers with resort-style amenities and top-rated Klein ISD schools.
Builders: Tri Pointe Homes, Toll Brothers
Conroe, TX · From $310K · Tax rate 3.28% · ~20 min to The Woodlands
Woodland Hills delivers the most amenities per dollar of any community in the Conroe area, dual pools, tennis, pickleball, fitness center, and dog park for an HOA of just $1,005/year.
Builders: Century Communities, Chesmar Homes, DRB Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes and 3 more
Conroe, TX · From $353K · Tax rate 3.15% · ~20 min to The Woodlands
Artavia is Conroe's resort-style lake community, built around a stunning lakefront amenity center with kayaking, fishing, and a resort pool. One of the few communities in North Houston where you get water access at a mid-range price point.
Builders: Beazer Homes, Chesmar Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, J. Patrick Homes and 5 more
Magnolia, TX · From $335K · Tax rate ~2.7% · ~20 min to The Woodlands
Wildtree is a Magnolia master-planned community built around a nature theme with tree-lined streets, scenic trails, and a resort-style amenity center. Shea Homes, Perry Homes, and Coventry Homes build here.
Builders: Coventry Homes, Perry Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers
Conroe, TX · From $260K · Tax rate ~2.6% · ~20 min to The Woodlands
Cielo is one of the most affordable new construction communities in North Houston, with Castlerock Communities and DRB Homes building from the $260Ks.
Builders: Castlerock Communities, DRB Homes, First America Homes
Magnolia, TX · From $340K · Tax rate ~2.7% · ~22 min to The Woodlands
Woodhavyn is a Magnolia community with wooded homesites and a natural setting. Shea Homes offers 4% commission on inventory homes, one of the strongest agent incentives in the market.
Builders: Perry Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers
Magnolia, TX · From $309K · Tax rate 3.03% · ~25 min to The Woodlands
Audubon is Magnolia's most nature-forward master-planned community, built around preserved green space, wooded homesites, and a unique bird-watching lifestyle. The on-site Magnolia ISD elementary school opened in 2025, which is a major draw for families. However, buyers should know that the resort amenity center and pool are not yet open, this is a significant concern for current and prospective residents. The HOA includes front yard maintenance, which is a standout feature.
Builders: Century Communities, Chesmar, Coventry, David Weekley Homes, Drees Homes and 10 more
This Week's Real Deals Near The Woodlands
Everything below is pulled from this week's tracked data specifically for the communities ranked above, not the whole North Houston market.
ACTIVE INCENTIVE NEARBY
Drees Custom Homes at Grand Central Park
Fueling the Future supporting Texas Energy Workers! Qualified buyers who build a new home with Drees are eligible to receive a $2,500 Design Center credit.*
View details →Builders Active Near The Woodlands
Several of the builders with an established presence in The Woodlands historically are the same ones building in the communities above. Ranked by our real tracked scores:
J. Patrick Homes
8/10
Perry Homes
8/10
Highland Homes
8/10
DRB Homes
7.8/10
Westin Homes
7.8/10
Chesmar Homes
7.8/10
How to Choose: Commute vs. Price
- Drive it yourself, at the time you'd actually commute. Listed drive times assume light traffic. Test the route during rush hour before deciding.
- Every extra 10 minutes of commute tends to buy meaningfully more house. If budget is tight, communities slightly farther out are worth a look.
- Check which side of I-45 you'd be on. Several communities near The Woodlands require crossing I-45 to reach it, which can add real time during peak hours regardless of straight-line distance.
- Compare tax rates, not just home prices. Newer communities often carry higher combined tax rates (MUD, PID) than The Woodlands itself, which can offset a lower purchase price.
- Verify school district boundaries directly rather than assuming, district lines don't always follow community names or marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there new construction in The Woodlands, TX?
Very little. The Woodlands is a largely built-out master-planned community developed starting in the 1970s, so most available new-construction inventory today is in nearby communities rather than inside The Woodlands itself.
What is the closest new construction community to The Woodlands?
Based on real commute-time tracking, Grand Central Park in Conroe is currently the closest, at roughly 15 minutes to The Woodlands.
Are homes near The Woodlands cheaper than in The Woodlands?
Generally yes. New construction in communities near The Woodlands typically starts well below resale prices inside The Woodlands itself, while still offering a short commute.
Which builders build near The Woodlands?
J. Patrick Homes, Perry Homes, Highland Homes are among the most active builders we track in communities near The Woodlands.
How often is this page updated?
This page pulls directly from our live tracking system and updates automatically, alongside the rest of Track The Builders. The date at the top reflects the most recent update, August 7, 2026.
Written and maintained by Michael Krynski
Founder of Track The Builders and a TREC-licensed Realtor with Keller Williams The Woodlands & Magnolia. An experienced new construction expert, I track real builder pricing and incentives across North Houston every week. Rankings on this page are generated from that data, not editorial opinion, and update automatically as pricing and incentives change.
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