In Athens, a typical home is worth $210,800 and typical rent is $1,112 a month. Compared with all of Henderson County, typical rent is 6% higher and the share of households that own their home is 20 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $227,436 to $255,161.
Typical rent
$1,305a month
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2026 to September 2026: from $1,307 to $1,305.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Athens is in Henderson County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Henderson County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
58% of households in Athens own their home, against 78% in Henderson County.
2
Nearby, in Palestine, the typical home value is $166,000: 21% less than in Athens ($210,800).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Athens
What homes there are in Athens, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Detached house
61%
64%
64%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
3%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
5%
21%
19%
Mobile home
8%
26%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
In Athens, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Henderson County, 6.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Year built: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
22%
9%
12%
26%
1960–1979
32%
25%
21%
24%
1980–1999
29%
32%
28%
25%
2000–2009
10%
16%
18%
14%
2010 or later
8%
18%
21%
11%
In Athens, half of the homes were built before 1978; in Henderson County, before 1988.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K25%
$100K–$200K19%
$200K–$300K33%
$300K–$500K20%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $100K
25%
$100K–$200K
19%
$200K–$300K
33%
$300K–$500K
20%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for Henderson County is high ($541,287): at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Athens are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99932%
$1,000–$1,49931%
$1,500–$1,99921%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
32%
$1,000–$1,499
31%
$1,500–$1,999
21%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,551 a month
Henderson County: $1,573 a month
Without a mortgage
$594 a month
Henderson County: $535 a month
Owners with a mortgage
47%
Henderson County: 43%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Athens is $1,551 a month, near the figure in Henderson County ($1,573).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Athens+142%
Henderson County+95%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Athens+30%
Henderson County+34%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Athens+78%
Henderson County+38%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+142%
+95%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
+30%
+34%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+78%
+38%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Athens gained value faster than in Henderson County: 142% against 95%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Athens rose 30%, less than in Henderson County (34%).
While home values in Athens changed +142% and rent +30%, the typical household income rose 78%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
8.3%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
12.2%
4.1%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.56
2.49
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
81%
76%
71%
69%
Carpool
13%
12%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
9%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More households are short on space in Athens: 12.2% have more than one person per room; in Henderson County, 4.1%.
By size, households in Athens look like those in Henderson County: 2.56 people on average.
The car rules in Athens: 81% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Athens?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Athens, worth $210,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Athens, which is $67,984 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $77,490 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Henderson County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Athens. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,378 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,808
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$206,982
Total interest
$297,798
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,560 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,586 a month
Tight
$1,586 to $2,040 a month
Your payment · 32%
Hard
more than $2,040 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Athens ($67,984 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,402
Property tax
$225
Home insurance
$88
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$93
You need at least $7,378 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,808; principal and interest $1,402.
The city and its county
Athens and Henderson County
Athens is in Henderson County, Texas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Athens
Map of Henderson County, Texas, with Athens marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Athens
Henderson County
Other cities with a page
Athens's own numbers
Typical home value
$210,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,112
Typical yearly household income
$67,984
Households that own their home
58%
Effective property tax rate
1.28%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Henderson County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,114
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+58%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Henderson County.
A typical home in Athens is worth $210,800: about the same as the county and 26% below Texas. With the typical household income in Athens ($67,984 a year), a typical home costs 3.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Athens3.1 years
Henderson3.2 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Henderson County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Henderson County rose 117% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Henderson County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Henderson County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.2% +4.2% 2016
2017: +8.5% +8.5% 2017
2018: +8.0% +8.0% 2018
2019: +6.7% +6.7% 2019
2020: +5.3% +5.3% 2020
2021: +17.1% +17.1% 2021
2022: +18.0% +18.0% 2022
2023: +9.7% +9.7% 2023
2024: +2.3% +2.3% 2024
2025: +1.9% +1.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Henderson County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.9%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+58%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+117%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Athens next to Henderson County, Texas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Athens$210,800
Henderson$211,300
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Athens$1,112
Henderson$1,048
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Athens$67,984
Henderson$65,179
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Athens next to Henderson County and Texas
Measure
Athens
Henderson County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$210,800
$211,300
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,112 ▲6% above the county
$1,048
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$67,984 ▲4% above the county
$65,179
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
58% ▼20 points below the county
78%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,690 ▲35% above the county
$1,991
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.28% ▲0.34 points above the county
0.94%
1.49%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54%
54%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Henderson County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
For a typical $210,800 home in Athens, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Athens's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,808a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,378
Cash to close
$13,702
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $93
Conventional, 5% down$1,769a month
Down payment
$10,540
Cash to close
$16,864
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $100
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,455a month
Down payment
$42,160
Cash to close
$48,484
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,650a month
Down payment
$31,620
Cash to close
$37,944
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,808
$7,378
$206,982
7.18%
FHA MIP · $93
$13,702
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,769
$10,540
$200,260
7.18%
PMI · $100
$16,864
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,455
$42,160
$168,640
7.18%
None
$48,484
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,650
$31,620
$179,180
8.18%
None
$37,944
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Athens is $1,112 a month: 6% above the county. In Athens, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Henderson County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,114 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.42 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Henderson County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$822
$15.81
$32,880
1 bedroom
$910
$17.50
$36,400
2 bedrooms
$1,114
$21.42
$44,560
3 bedrooms
$1,456
$28.00
$58,240
4 bedrooms
$1,648
$31.69
$65,920
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Athens
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Athens has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,150 in 75751 to $1,200 in 75752.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Henderson County ($1,114).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Athens, fiscal year 2027.
75751
$850
$940
$1,150
$1,500
$1,700
75752
$890
$980
$1,200
$1,570
$1,770
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
75751 $1,150$1,500
75752 $1,200$1,570
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Athens when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Henderson County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Athens or Henderson County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Athens the same as in the rest of the state.
Texas state program for first-time buyers: a 30-year mortgage with down payment assistance.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state program with down payment assistance for any buyer, not only first-time buyers.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal tax return.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Athens or Henderson County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Athens and all of Henderson County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Athens?
The typical home value in Athens is $210,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Henderson County it is $211,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Athens?
Typical rent in Athens is $1,112 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Henderson County is $1,114.
What is the FHA loan limit in Athens?
Athens uses the FHA limit for all of Henderson County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Athens?
The typical homeowner in Athens pays $2,690 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.28% of the home’s value; in Henderson County, the rate is 0.94%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Athens?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Henderson County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
