In Highlands, a typical home is worth $214,400 and typical rent is $1,223 a month. Compared with all of Harris County, typical household income is 30% lower, the typical home value is 22% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 26 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $194,611 to $220,465.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Highlands is in Harris 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 Harris County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
80% of households in Highlands own their home, against 55% in Harris County.
2
The typical household income in Highlands is $52,167,30% less than in Harris County as a whole ($74,983).
3
Nearby, in Cloverleaf, the typical home value is $169,600: 21% less than in Highlands ($214,400).
4
The typical home in Highlands is worth $214,400,22% less than in Harris County as a whole ($276,600).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Highlands
What homes there are in Highlands, 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
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Detached house
70%
57%
64%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
5%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
32%
21%
19%
Mobile home
23%
3%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Highlands: 70% of homes, more than in Harris County (57%).
In Highlands there are many mobile homes: 23% of homes; in Harris County, 3%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Year built: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
33%
12%
12%
26%
1960–1979
18%
25%
21%
24%
1980–1999
26%
27%
28%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
18%
18%
14%
2010 or later
13%
19%
21%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K29%
$200K–$300K42%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
29%
$200K–$300K
42%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,483 a month
Harris County: $2,155 a month
Without a mortgage
$705 a month
Harris County: $744 a month
Owners with a mortgage
46%
Harris County: 57%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Highlands is $1,483 a month, less than in Harris County ($2,155); without one, $705.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Highlands+88%
Harris County+57%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
HighlandsNo clear change
Harris County+30%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
HighlandsNo clear change
Harris County+22%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+88%
+57%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+22%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Highlands gained value faster than in Harris County: 88% against 57%.
Rent in Highlands moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Highlands and its comparisons
Measure
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
9.3%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.2%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
6.6%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.82
2.73
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
75%
70%
71%
69%
Carpool
15%
11%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
13%
14%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Highlands has 2.82 people on average, about the same as in Harris County (2.73).
In Highlands, 15% of workers share a car to get to work; in Harris County, 11%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Highlands?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Highlands, worth $214,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 41% of the typical household income in Highlands, which is $52,167 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $77,128 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Harris 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 Highlands. 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 $7,504 (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
$1,800
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$210,517
Total interest
$302,884
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,621 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,217 a month
Tight
$1,217 to $1,565 a month
Hard
more than $1,565 a month
Your payment · 41%
Compared with the typical household income in Highlands ($52,167 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,426
Property tax
$189
Home insurance
$89
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$95
You need at least $7,504 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 $1,800; principal and interest $1,426.
The city and its county
Highlands and Harris County
Highlands is in Harris 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).
Highlands
Map of Harris County, Texas, with Highlands marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Highlands
Harris County
Other cities with a page
Highlands's own numbers
Typical home value
$214,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,223
Typical yearly household income
$52,167
Households that own their home
80%
Effective property tax rate
1.06%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Harris 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)
+31%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
9.1%
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 Harris County.
A typical home in Highlands is worth $214,400: 22% below the county and 24% below Texas. With the typical household income in Highlands ($52,167 a year), a typical home costs 4.1 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.
Highlands4.1 years
Harris3.7 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Harris County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Harris County rose 54% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Harris County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Harris County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.7% +2.7% 2016
2017: +3.3% +3.3% 2017
2018: +4.3% +4.3% 2018
2019: +3.5% +3.5% 2019
2020: +2.8% +2.8% 2020
2021: +6.3% +6.3% 2021
2022: +12.3% +12.3% 2022
2023: +5.7% +5.7% 2023
2024: +3.0% +3.0% 2024
2025: +0.6% +0.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Harris County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.6%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+31%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+54%
+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
Highlands next to Harris 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
Highlands$214,400
Harris$276,600
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Highlands$1,223
Harris$1,401
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Highlands$52,167
Harris$74,983
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Highlands next to Harris County and Texas
Measure
Highlands
Harris County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$214,400 ▼22% below the county
$276,600
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,223 ▼13% below the county
$1,401
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$52,167 ▼30% below the county
$74,983
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
80% ▲26 points above the county
55%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,262 ▼50% below the county
$4,489
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.06% ▼0.56 points below the county
1.62%
1.49%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▼4 points below the county
54%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Harris 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 Highlands
For a typical $214,400 home in Highlands, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Highlands's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,800a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,504
Cash to close
$13,936
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $95
Conventional, 5% down$1,760a month
Down payment
$10,720
Cash to close
$17,152
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $102
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,441a month
Down payment
$42,880
Cash to close
$49,312
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,639a month
Down payment
$32,160
Cash to close
$38,592
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Highlands
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,800
$7,504
$210,517
7.18%
FHA MIP · $95
$13,936
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,760
$10,720
$203,680
7.18%
PMI · $102
$17,152
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,441
$42,880
$171,520
7.18%
None
$49,312
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,639
$32,160
$182,240
8.18%
None
$38,592
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 Highlands is $1,223 a month: 13% below the county. In Highlands, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Harris 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.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Harris County (Fiscal year 2027)
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 Highlands
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Highlands is in ZIP code 77562.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,250: $247 less than the fair market rent for Harris County ($1,497).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Highlands, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
77562
$1,030
$1,050
$1,250
$1,680
$2,090
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
77562 $1,250$1,680
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Highlands 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.
There are 13 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Harris County; 8 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Highlands or Harris County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Highlands 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 Highlands or Harris 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 Highlands and all of Harris 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 Highlands?
The typical home value in Highlands is $214,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Harris County it is $276,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Highlands?
Typical rent in Highlands is $1,223 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Harris County is $1,497.
What is the FHA loan limit in Highlands?
Highlands uses the FHA limit for all of Harris 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 Highlands?
The typical homeowner in Highlands pays $2,262 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.06% of the home’s value; in Harris County, the rate is 1.62%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Highlands?
There are 13 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Harris County. 8 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
