Where is Friendswood, TX? Counties, Distances, and What to Check
Friendswood is an independent city southeast of downtown Houston, bordered by Pearland, Webster, League City, Nassau Bay, and Alvin. Asking where it is usually means asking how far it is from work. The answer that shapes a purchase is different: which county holds the address and how close it sits to Clear Creek, because those decide which appraisal records and flood maps you pull.
Key takeaway
Friendswood is its own city in the Houston metro, southeast of downtown Houston between Pearland and League City, and it spans both Galveston County and Harris County. Before you get attached to a listing, check which county holds the address and how close it sits to Clear Creek. Homes here sold for a median $403,808 in the 90 days ending 2026-09-30, so the price is worth that check. If a short Houston commute matters most, focus your search on the north end of town.
Who this guide is for
You have found a Friendswood listing or address from outside the area and need to know where it sits, what it is near, and which county records apply before deciding whether to keep it on your list.
Friendswood's Galveston County and Harris County sides
The city limits lie in northwestern Galveston County and southern Harris County. The side an address falls on decides three things:
which appraisal district holds its record
which county's flood-control maps apply
which taxing entities appear on the bill
Schools split along Clear Creek. Addresses south of the creek (Galveston County side) are zoned to Friendswood ISD, and those north of it (Harris County side) to Clear Creek ISD. We also provide details on the Friendswood, TX population.
Galveston County side
Most of the city falls in Galveston County, south of Clear Creek. Records for these homes sit with the Galveston Central Appraisal District. Look up the exact address there to see its taxing entities and appraisal history. The 77546 ZIP code and the city name won't tell you the county, so confirm it on the appraisal record. The cost of living in Friendswood depends on what those taxing entities charge.
Harris County side
The northern portion of the city sits in Harris County, closer to Houston. Records here sit with the Harris Central Appraisal District, and Harris County's flood control district maps apply. Comparing a house here with one a mile south means comparing two appraisal sites with different taxing entities. Pull both records before deciding which is the better buy.
How far is Friendswood from Houston and the airports?
Interstate 45 gives direct access north to Houston and south toward Galveston. FM 528 and FM 518 carry east-west traffic. Getting around Friendswood relies on surface roads as much as freeways, and map distance rarely matches rush hour. Drive each route at your actual commute time before committing to an address.
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is approximately 22 to 24 miles away, about 26 to 30 minutes via I-45 in normal conditions. North-end addresses start closer, which shortens the trip.
NASA Johnson Space Center and Clear Lake
The Clear Lake employment area to the east is the closest major job center. Space Center Houston, the visitor center next to Johnson Space Center, is roughly 8 road miles away. The routes east run on signaled surface roads like FM 528 rather than a freeway, so the mileage understates peak-hour time.
Hobby and Bush airports
William P. Hobby Airport is approximately 11 miles from the center of Friendswood. George Bush Intercontinental is roughly 42 miles away, across the whole metro. Many international flights leave from Bush, so if you fly often, check which airport your usual routes use.
Clear Creek and flood checks for a Friendswood address
Clear Creek runs through the city and forms the Harris/Galveston county line. The city directs residents to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for current and historical flood maps, including areas along the creek. Check the address there and on its county's flood-control map before you schedule a showing.
Ask the seller for the Texas flood disclosure and any elevation certificate. Get a flood insurance quote for the specific address before your option period ends.
Friendswood housing market right now
A 31-day median time on market leaves room to run the county and flood checks before making an offer. Only 13.4% of all homes sold above list price, and the typical sale closed at 97.6% of list, so you can negotiate. Supply of 2.8 months is still low, so well-priced homes move steadily despite softer prices.
Of 226 sales in the 90 days ending 2026-09-30, 216 were single-family homes. Condos, townhomes and other property types are scarce here.
How to narrow down where to look in Friendswood
First, weigh your commute against the distances above, timed at rush hour. Second, pull the appraisal record for each listing to confirm its county before comparing prices. Third, check its flood map status and distance from Clear Creek before booking a showing. For negotiating room, target listings that have sat past the 31-day median. If you want a condo or townhome, expect a short list. Kipling Properties can pull the county appraisal record and flood map for any address you're considering.
At a glance
Median sale price, all homes: $403,808 (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Change in median sale price, all homes: -14.1% year over year (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Median sale price, single-family: $419,833, -10.7% year over year (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Homes sold: 226 all homes, 216 of them single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Median days on market, all homes and single-family: 31 (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Sale-to-list ratio: 97.6% all homes, 97.7% single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Sold above list: 13.4% all homes, 14.1% single-family (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Months of supply, all homes: 2.8; inventory: 206 homes (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Median price per square foot, all homes and single-family: $178 (90 days ending 2026-09-30)
Friendswood, TX location FAQs
Which county is Friendswood, TX in?
Both: northwestern Galveston County and southern Harris County. The appraisal district record confirms the county for a given address.
How far is Friendswood, TX from the beach?
The Galveston Seawall beaches are within a 30-minute drive via Interstate 45.
Is it expensive to live in Friendswood, Texas?
Homes sold for a median $178 per square foot in the 90 days ending 2026-09-30, and the median sale price is lower than a year earlier.
Is Friendswood, TX part of Houston?
No. Friendswood was founded in 1895 by a group of Quakers, became an incorporated city in 1960, and runs its own government and services within the Houston metro.
Does Friendswood, TX flood?
Risk varies by address and distance from Clear Creek. About 2,800 Friendswood households flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Does Friendswood have a MUD tax?
The taxing entities on an address's appraisal record show whether it carries a Municipal Utility District (MUD) rate.
What is Friendswood, TX's ZIP code?
77546 is the main residential and business ZIP code; 77549 is for PO Boxes only. Neither tells you the county.
