Fewer fleas outside of loop? Help

Are fleas in abundance everywhere in Houston? Inner loop seems to be particularly bad with all the stray cats and bayou critters roaming. I heard way out in the suburbs like Katy or Sugarland is better—can anyone confirm? No matter what I do (spray yard and house with permethrin, treat cat with flea collar + topical, wear long pants, bathe in essential oils, etc.) I seem to always get flea bites from who knows where and it’s absolutely maddening. Lived in PNW before moving here and never had this issue.