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City · 6,137 residents · Waller County, Texas

Hempstead , Texas

In Hempstead, typical rent is $1,234 a month. Compared with all of Waller County, typical household income is 25% lower, typical rent is 6% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 34 points lower.

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  • Typical rent

    $1,234a month

    6% above the county

    12% below Texas

    • Hempstead
    • Waller
    • Texas

  • Typical household income

    $60,041a year

    25% below the county

    23% below Texas

    • Hempstead
    • Waller
    • Texas

  • Households that own their home

    39%

    34 points below the county

    24 points below Texas

    • Hempstead
    • Waller
    • Texas

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$285,682
0.8% more than 12 months ago

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

Hempstead is in Waller 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 Waller County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Hempstead apart

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

  1. 39% of households in Hempstead own their home, against 72% in Waller County.

  2. Hempstead has the 2nd smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 356 cities in Texas with more than 5,000 people (21%).

  3. Nearby, in Navasota, the typical rent is $860: 30% less than in Hempstead ($1,234).

  4. The typical household income in Hempstead is $60,041, 25% less than in Waller County as a whole ($80,397).

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

The homes here

Housing in Hempstead

What homes there are in Hempstead, 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

In Hempstead there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (42%); in Waller County, 64%.

Year built

In Hempstead, half of the homes were built before 1987; in Waller County, before 1998.

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

Without a mortgage

$606 a month

Waller County: $740 a month

Owners with a mortgage

38%

Waller County: 50%

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 rent in Hempstead rose 41% over the same time; in Waller County, it rose 25%.

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

MeasureHempsteadWaller CountyTexasUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate7.9%7.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate4.9%4.8%3.4%
People per household 3.203.092.692.53
Drive alone 84%78%71%69%
Carpool 13%9%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate11%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Waller County, a household in Hempstead has 3.20 people on average.

More people carpool to work in Hempstead than in Waller County: 13% against 9%.

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 Hempstead?

The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value or typical household income for Hempstead, so we don't measure how heavy the payment is. Enter your own numbers in the calculator. The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value for Hempstead, so the calculator starts with the one for Waller County: $318,700. The rate is Freddie Mac’s weekly average (7.18%, November 5, 2026); yours may be different. The FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Waller County. Change the price, the down payment or the loan type and see how your payment changes.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Hempstead. 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 $11,155 (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

$2,731

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$312,927
Total interest
$450,229
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,382 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,401 a month

  • Tight

    $1,401 to $1,801 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,801 a month

    Your payment · 55%

Compared with the typical household income in Hempstead ($60,041 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,731
Principal & interest$2,120
Property tax$337
Home insurance$133
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$141

You need at least $11,155 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

Hempstead and Waller County

Hempstead is in Waller 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).

Hempstead's own numbers

Typical monthly rent
$1,234
Typical yearly household income
$60,041
Households that own their home
39%

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

Numbers for all of Waller County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,497
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
8.4%

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 Waller County.

Everything about Waller County

Buying

Buying a home in Hempstead

The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value for Hempstead. Below are the numbers for Waller County.

How prices have changed in Waller County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Waller County rose 97% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Texas U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.3% +0.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +53% +44% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +97% +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

Hempstead next to Waller County, Texas and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical monthly rent
  • Hempstead $1,234
  • Waller $1,169
  • Texas $1,403
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Hempstead $60,041
  • Waller $80,397
  • Texas $78,476
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Hempstead next to Waller County and Texas
Measure Hempstead Waller County Texas U.S.
Typical monthly rent $1,234 $1,169 $1,403 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $60,041 $80,397 $78,476 $80,734
Households that own their home 39% 72% 63% 65%
Renters with high rent for their income 21% 47% 52% 51%

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

The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value for Hempstead, so we don't build this table. You can enter the price you're looking for in the calculator above.

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 Hempstead and for Waller County.

Property tax

Data not available for this place

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Texas

Flood risk in Waller County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
8.4%
1,481
Of those, with NFIP insurance
31%
County Texas U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 8.4% 4.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 31% 48% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Hempstead

Typical rent in Hempstead is $1,234 a month: 6% above the county. In Hempstead, 21% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Waller County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,497 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $28.79 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Waller 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 $1,233 $23.71 $49,320
1 bedroom $1,261 $24.25 $50,440
2 bedrooms $1,497 $28.79 $59,880
3 bedrooms $2,017 $38.79 $80,680
4 bedrooms $2,502 $48.12 $100,080

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 Hempstead

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Hempstead is in ZIP code 77445.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,260: $237 less than the fair market rent for Waller County ($1,497).

  • 77445 $1,260$1,700

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Hempstead 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 Hempstead

HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Hempstead. These are the largest.

  • Park at Clear Creek 111 Clear Creek St, Hempstead 77445 76 low-income homes · In service since 2000
  • Willow Chase Apts 1845 5th St, Hempstead 77445 57 low-income homes · In service since 2004
  • Green Manor Apts 2000 4th St, Hempstead 77445 40 low-income homes · In service since 2004
  • Shady Oaks Apts 506 Ellen Powell Dr, Hempstead 77445 40 low-income homes · In service since 2005
  • Hempstead Gardens 700 Factory Outlet Dr, Hempstead 77445 48 homes

See all 9 buildings in Waller County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Hempstead

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

A young woman and a young man point to a line in their notes beside a laptop in a library.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Hempstead

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Hempstead or Waller County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Hempstead 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 Hempstead

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Hempstead, 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 · 36 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 · 39 miles away

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

  • Chinese Community Center

    9800 Town Park Dr, Houston · 41 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 Hempstead

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 Hempstead

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in Waller County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in Texas Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Waller County

These cities are also in Waller County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Waller County Housing in Texas

Nearby cities

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

Neighboring counties

If Waller 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 Hempstead.

All guides
A father, a mother and their daughter smile among the avocado trees by their home in Somis, California.

Questions

Housing questions about Hempstead

Short answers with the numbers for Hempstead and all of Waller County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does it cost to rent in Hempstead?

Typical rent in Hempstead is $1,234 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Waller County is $1,497.

What is the FHA loan limit in Hempstead?

Hempstead uses the FHA limit for all of Waller County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Waller 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).