Looking for a small-town main street feel with the convenience of nearby Houston? If you love weekend markets, live music, and the idea of walking to coffee, shops, and events, Old Town Tomball may be a great fit. In this guide, you’ll get a clear picture of the lifestyle, home types, price expectations, and key rules that shape this historic district. Let’s dive in.
What “Old Town” means in Tomball
Old Town is the city’s historic downtown centered on Main, Commerce, and Market Streets around the Railroad Depot Plaza. The area blends restaurants, boutiques, music venues, museums, and year-round events that create steady street life.
The City’s Old Town & Mixed Use zoning district is designed to protect that pedestrian scale while allowing a blend of residential, retail, and office uses. It includes façade review on key corridors, height and lot-size standards, and mixed-use flexibility that supports upstairs living over ground-floor shops. You can read the zoning text in the city’s ordinance for details on design and use standards in the district. See the Old Town & Mixed Use zoning ordinance.
Lifestyle: walkable, festive, local
Everyday walkability
Addresses along Main, Market, and Commerce score in the “Very Walkable” range, which means most errands can be done on foot within the core. For example, 305 Market Street shows a Walk Score in that range, highlighting how compact and convenient Old Town feels compared to more car-dependent parts of Tomball. Check a specific address like 305 Market St on Walk Score when evaluating a property.
Weekly anchor: the Farmers Market
The Tomball Farmers Market is a downtown staple, running year-round on Saturdays along Main Street, commonly from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You’ll find dozens of local vendors most weekends, and it is an easy stroll to nearby shops and the Depot. For hours, maps, and parking details, use the Market’s official plan your visit and map page.
Festivals, music, and museums
Old Town hosts a full event calendar, including the popular Tomball German Heritage Festival and city-run events throughout the year. The restored Railroad Depot and the Tomball Museum Center add historic character and family-friendly programming, while local venues keep live music on the calendar. Always confirm dates and street-closure info on the City of Tomball events page before you go.
Homes you’ll find in Old Town
Historic cottages and bungalows
Much of Old Town’s charm comes from its early cottages and bungalows from the 1930s through the 1950s. Many feature front porches, wood floors, and compact footprints. Restored examples appear regularly within walking distance of Main Street.
Midcentury ranches with updates
You’ll also see midcentury ranch homes that have been renovated with modern kitchens, baths, and added garages. Some sit on larger lots. In the OT&MU district, select properties may have mixed-use potential if they meet the city’s code.
Newer infill and cottage builds
In recent years, builders have added cottage-style single-family homes on in-town lots. These 2010s–2020s builds often deliver a low-maintenance footprint and a short walk to cafés, shops, and events.
Price snapshot
Based on recent examples in and around Old Town, single-family homes commonly range from roughly $200,000 to $450,000 depending on lot size, condition, updates, and whether a property is set up for mixed use. Always verify current pricing with live MLS data at the time you buy or sell. For broader context, citywide Tomball median prices in late 2024 through early 2026 often sit in the mid-to-high $300Ks. You can review current city-level trends on Redfin’s Tomball market page.
Zoning, design rules, and opportunity
Old Town’s OT&MU zoning encourages a blend of residential and commercial uses while preserving a walkable scale. Typical standards include a two-story height context along key corridors, minimum lot sizes for residential, and façade plan review for new construction or major exterior work along Main, Commerce, and Market. These rules make adaptive reuse and live-over-work formats feasible in the right locations. Review the city’s OT&MU zoning text and check with the City of Tomball Planning Department or a licensed local agent for property-specific questions.
If you’re improving a storefront or making exterior upgrades, the Tomball Economic Development Corporation offers an Old Town Façade Improvement Grant that can help offset costs. This is a practical boost for curb appeal projects that respect Old Town’s character.
Buyer tips for Old Town
- Visit at different times. Walk the streets on a regular weekday and again on a Saturday during the Farmers Market to feel how the area changes with events.
- Check flood risk early. Review FEMA mapping resources and Harris County’s MAAPnext tools for the latest flood-risk insights, and ask for an elevation certificate when needed. FEMA provides helpful background on reading maps and risk at this flood mapping overview.
- Understand short-term rental rules. The City requires a 7 percent Hotel Occupancy Tax for stays under 30 days. Confirm registration and remittance steps on the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax page if you plan to host.
- Confirm parking and closures for events. Event-day logistics often include free public parking near the Depot and Market area. Check the Farmers Market plan your visit and map page for updates.
- Review nearby schools. Old Town addresses are served by Tomball ISD, with campuses like Tomball Intermediate located on West Main. See the school’s page for location and programs: Tomball Intermediate School. Always verify attendance zones with Tomball ISD.
Seller tips for Old Town
- Lead with location. In your marketing remarks, highlight walk-to Main Street, the Farmers Market, and Depot attractions, since these are core lifestyle benefits.
- Showcase character. Point out original features like wood floors, porches, and trim. If you’ve renovated, note how updates align with façade and design guidelines in the OT&MU zoning text.
- Invest in curb appeal. Ask your agent about the Old Town Façade Improvement Grant to support exterior improvements.
- Clarify mixed-use potential. If the property sits in the OT&MU district, mention possible live/work or commercial flexibility, and advise buyers to confirm permitted uses with the City.
Commute and regional access
Old Town sits in northwest Houston’s metro area near State Highway 249 and FM 2920, making it a short drive to regional job centers and suburban hubs. Many residents drive for daily commuting, while the downtown core itself is comfortable on foot. For festivals and market days, check the City of Tomball events page and the Farmers Market map for parking guidance.
Is Old Town right for you?
If you want a walkable main street, a steady calendar of events, and housing that ranges from vintage cottages to modern infill, Old Town Tomball offers a compelling mix. The district’s zoning supports both classic neighborhood living and, in the right spots, live/work possibilities. Whether you’re buying your first place, right-sizing, or preparing to sell, local guidance will help you move with confidence. Ready to explore homes or get a pricing opinion? Schedule your free consultation with Kim Kindred.
FAQs
Is Old Town Tomball walkable?
- Yes. Addresses on or near Main Street, like 305 Market St on Walk Score, show “Very Walkable” ratings, meaning many daily errands can be done on foot in the core.
What home types are in Old Town Tomball?
- You’ll find historic cottages and bungalows from the 1930s–1950s, renovated midcentury ranches, and a growing number of 2010s–2020s cottage-style infill homes.
Can you run a business from an Old Town house?
- Possibly. The Old Town & Mixed Use zoning allows many mixed uses in the district. Always verify permitted uses, parking, and façade standards in the OT&MU code and with the City of Tomball Planning Department.
How much do homes cost in Old Town Tomball?
- Based on recent examples, single-family homes often range from about $200,000 to $450,000 depending on size, condition, and location. Citywide medians in late 2024–early 2026 commonly sit in the mid-to-high $300Ks; check Redfin’s Tomball page and current MLS data for up-to-date figures.
Do you need flood insurance in Old Town Tomball?
- It depends on the specific property and FEMA flood zone. Review FEMA mapping resources, look at Harris County’s MAAPnext tools, ask for an elevation certificate, and seek insurance quotes. FEMA offers a helpful flood mapping overview.
Where do you park for Old Town events?
- Most major events provide free public parking near the Depot and Market area, with maps and street-closure info posted by organizers. See the Farmers Market’s plan your visit and map page and the City’s events page for updates.
