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City · 18,641 residents · Washington County, Texas

Brenham , Texas

In Brenham, a typical home is worth $241,100 and typical rent is $1,157 a month. Compared with all of Washington County, typical household income is 16% lower, the typical home value is 16% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 19 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $241,100

    16% below the county

    15% below Texas

    • Brenham
    • Washington
    • Texas

  • Typical rent

    $1,157a month

    About the same as the county

    18% below Texas

    • Brenham
    • Washington
    • Texas

  • Typical household income

    $65,112a year

    16% below the county

    17% below Texas

    • Brenham
    • Washington
    • Texas

  • Households that own their home

    51%

    19 points below the county

    12 points below Texas

    • Brenham
    • Washington
    • Texas

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$323,597
1.4% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,596 a month
3.2% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Brenham is in Washington 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 Washington County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Brenham apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 51% of households in Brenham own their home, against 70% in Washington County.

  2. Nearby, in Prairie View, the typical home value is $167,600: 30% less than in Brenham ($241,100).

  3. Nearby, in Navasota, the typical rent is $860: 26% less than in Brenham ($1,157).

  4. The typical household income in Brenham is $65,112, 16% less than in Washington County as a whole ($77,825).

  5. The typical home in Brenham is worth $241,100, 16% less than in Washington County as a whole ($288,100).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Brenham

What homes there are in Brenham, 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

The detached house is still the most common home in Brenham, but it weighs less than in Washington County: 61% against 73%.

Year built

The typical home in Brenham was built in 1983, 6 years before the typical one in Washington County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Brenham cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,400): about 77%.

With a mortgage

$1,723 a month

Washington County: $1,862 a month

Without a mortgage

$595 a month

Washington County: $584 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

Washington County: 43%

Owning costs less in Brenham: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,723 a month; in Washington County, $1,862. Without one, $595.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Brenham rose 47% since 2015–2019, less than in Washington County (61%).

The typical rent in Brenham rose 34% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Washington County (32%).

While home values in Brenham changed +47% and rent +34%, the typical household income rose 44%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureBrenhamWashington CountyTexasUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate7.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate3.3%4.8%3.4%
People per household 2.122.212.692.53
Drive alone 76%76%71%69%
Carpool 10%10%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2%3%
Work from home 8%8%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Washington County, a household in Brenham has 2.12 people on average.

The car rules in Brenham: 76% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Brenham?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Brenham, worth $241,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income in Brenham, which is $65,112 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $88,628 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Washington County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Brenham. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $8,439 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,068

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$236,733
Total interest
$340,603
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,072 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,519 a month

  • Tight

    $1,519 to $1,953 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,953 a month

    Your payment · 38%

Compared with the typical household income in Brenham ($65,112 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,068
Principal & interest$1,604
Property tax$257
Home insurance$101
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$107

You need at least $8,439 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Brenham and Washington County

Brenham is in Washington 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).

Brenham's own numbers

Typical home value
$241,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,157
Typical yearly household income
$65,112
Households that own their home
51%
Effective property tax rate
1.28%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Washington County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,400
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.5%

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 Washington County.

Everything about Washington County

Buying

Buying a home in Brenham

A typical home in Brenham is worth $241,100: 16% below the county and 15% below Texas. With the typical household income in Brenham ($65,112 a year), a typical home costs 3.7 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.

  • Brenham 3.7 years
  • Washington 3.7 years
  • Texas 3.6 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Washington County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Washington County rose 85% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Washington County.

Period County Texas U.S.
Last year (2025) +1.9% +0.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +47% +44% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +85% +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

Brenham next to Washington 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
  • Brenham $241,100
  • Washington $288,100
  • Texas $283,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Brenham $1,157
  • Washington $1,165
  • Texas $1,403
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Brenham $65,112
  • Washington $77,825
  • Texas $78,476
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Brenham next to Washington County and Texas
Measure Brenham Washington County Texas U.S.
Typical home value $241,100 $288,100 $283,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,157 $1,165 $1,403 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $65,112 $77,825 $78,476 $80,734
Households that own their home 51% 70% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,097 $3,143 $4,232 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.28% 1.09% 1.49% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 46% 44% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Washington 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 Brenham

For a typical $241,100 home in Brenham, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Brenham's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,068a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $8,439
    Cash to close
    $15,672
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $107

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,024a month

    Down payment
    $12,055
    Cash to close
    $19,288
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $115

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,664a month

    Down payment
    $48,220
    Cash to close
    $55,453
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,887a month

    Down payment
    $36,165
    Cash to close
    $43,398
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Brenham and for Washington County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Brenham

1.28%of the home’s value each year

$3,097 a year for the typical owner in Brenham.

  • Brenham 1.28%
  • Washington 1.09%
  • Texas 1.49%

What Texas publishes School-district homestead exemption (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)

Exemptions and deadlines in Texas

Flood risk in Washington County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Washington County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.5%
200
Of those, with NFIP insurance
21%
County Texas U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.5% 4.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 21% 48% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Brenham

Typical rent in Brenham is $1,157 a month: about the same as the county. In Brenham, 46% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Washington County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,400 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.92 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Washington County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,064 $20.46 $42,560
1 bedroom $1,070 $20.58 $42,800
2 bedrooms $1,400 $26.92 $56,000
3 bedrooms $1,685 $32.40 $67,400
4 bedrooms $1,883 $36.21 $75,320

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 Brenham

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Brenham is in ZIP code 77833.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,380: $20 less than the fair market rent for Washington County ($1,400).

  • 77833 $1,380$1,660

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Brenham 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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Brenham

HUD lists 11 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Brenham. These are the largest.

  • Fairview Terrace 909 Hasskarl Dr, Brenham 77833 80 low-income homes · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
  • Parklane Villas 800 Hosea St, Brenham 77833 80 low-income homes · In service since 2018
  • Bluffview Villas 2699 Schulte Blvd, Brenham 77833 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 40 · In service since 2006 · For older adults
  • Brenham Oaks 2475 S Chappell Hill St, Brenham 77833 76 low-income homes · In service since 2002
  • Brenham Hsg.complex 606 Pleasantview Ave, Brenham 77833 75 low-income homes · For families (979) 836-9204

See all 11 buildings in Washington County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Brenham

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 Washington County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A pregnant woman reads paperwork on the sofa while the grandmother plays with the girl on the floor.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Brenham

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Brenham or Washington County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Brenham the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Texas

  • My First Texas Home

    Statewide in Texas

    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).

    DeferredForgivable

    See the program Official page

  • My Choice Texas Home

    Statewide in Texas

    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).

    DeferredForgivable

    See the program Official page

  • Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

    Statewide in Texas

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    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).

    Tax credit

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Brenham

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Brenham, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Houston, TX

    14425 Torrey Chase Blvd Ste 200, Houston · 55 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (713) 706-3400

  • Operation Hope - Houston TX

    10100 Katy Fwy, Houston · 57 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 2 more
    (832) 237-6747

  • Chinese Community Center

    9800 Town Park Dr, Houston · 59 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and Vietnamese.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 10 more
    (713) 271-6100

All counseling agencies in Texas

Help in Spanish near Brenham

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Brenham

HUD’s record names them for Brenham or Washington County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the City of Brenham Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (979) 836-9221

All housing agencies in Texas Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Brenham, with the typical home value.

Everything about Washington County Housing in Texas

Neighboring counties

If Washington County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Brenham.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about Brenham

Short answers with the numbers for Brenham and all of Washington 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 Brenham?

The typical home value in Brenham is $241,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Washington County it is $288,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Brenham?

Typical rent in Brenham is $1,157 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Washington County is $1,400.

What is the FHA loan limit in Brenham?

Brenham uses the FHA limit for all of Washington 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 Brenham?

The typical homeowner in Brenham pays $3,097 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.28% of the home’s value; in Washington County, the rate is 1.09%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Brenham?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Washington County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).