In Houston, a typical home is worth $277,800 and typical rent is $1,361 a month. Compared with all of Harris County, typical household income is 14% lower and the share of households that own their home is 13 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $233,463 to $259,465.
Typical rent
$1,544a month
= about the same as 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,414 to $1,544.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Houston 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
Nearby, in Aldine, the typical home value is $103,200: 63% less than in Houston ($277,800).
2
Houston has the 18th lowest homeownership rate of the 426 cities in Texas with more than 5,000 people (42%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Houston
What homes there are in Houston, 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 other
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Detached house
43%
57%
64%
61%
Attached house
5%
4%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
5%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
45%
32%
21%
19%
Mobile home
1%
3%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
0%
0%
0%
0%
Many people here live in apartments: 4 in 10 homes; in Harris County, 3.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Year built: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
17%
12%
12%
26%
1960–1979
30%
25%
21%
24%
1980–1999
23%
27%
28%
25%
2000–2009
14%
18%
18%
14%
2010 or later
17%
19%
21%
11%
The typical home in Houston was built in 1982, 6 years before the typical one in Harris County.
There are fewer big homes in Houston than in Harris County: 42% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 57%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K9%
$100K–$200K22%
$200K–$300K23%
$300K–$500K24%
$500K–$750K10%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M5%
$1M or more7%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Under $100K
9%
$100K–$200K
22%
$200K–$300K
23%
$300K–$500K
24%
$500K–$750K
10%
$750K–$1M
5%
$1M or more
7%
By price, most homes in Houston sit under the FHA limit for Harris County ($541,287): about 80%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5003%
$500–$99919%
$1,000–$1,49939%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,497
$1,500–$1,99925%
$2,000–$2,4999%
$2,500–$2,9993%
$3,000 or more3%
Monthly rent with utilities: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Under $500
3%
$500–$999
19%
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
25%
$2,000–$2,499
9%
$2,500–$2,999
3%
$3,000 or more
3%
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Harris County is $1,497: about 60% of rents in Houston are below it.
With a mortgage
$2,240 a month
Harris County: $2,155 a month
Without a mortgage
$685 a month
Harris County: $744 a month
Owners with a mortgage
52%
Harris County: 57%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Houston is $2,240 a month, near the figure in Harris County ($2,155).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Houston+62%
Harris County+57%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Houston+31%
Harris County+30%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Houston+24%
Harris County+22%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+62%
+57%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
+31%
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+24%
+22%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Houston gained value faster than in Harris County: 62% against 57%.
Much as in Harris County, the typical rent in Houston rose 31% since 2015–2019.
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 24%, while home values changed +62% and rent +31%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Houston and its comparisons
Measure
Houston
Harris County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
10.0%
9.3%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
1.7%
1.2%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
7.9%
6.6%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.46
2.73
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
68%
70%
71%
69%
Carpool
11%
11%
10%
9%
Public transit
3%
2%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
3%
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
13%
13%
14%
15%
Other means
3%
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In Houston, the rental vacancy rate is 10.0%, about the same as in Harris County.
More households are short on space in Houston: 7.9% have more than one person per room; in Harris County, 6.6%.
Households in Houston are smaller: 2.46 people on average; in Harris County, 2.73.
The car rules in Houston: 68% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Houston?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Houston, worth $277,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 45% of the typical household income in Houston, which is $64,813 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $104,400 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 Houston. 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 $9,723 (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
$2,436
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$272,768
Total interest
$392,450
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,691 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,512 a month
Tight
$1,512 to $1,944 a month
Hard
more than $1,944 a month
Your payment · 45%
Compared with the typical household income in Houston ($64,813 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,848
Property tax
$350
Home insurance
$116
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$123
You need at least $9,723 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 $2,436; principal and interest $1,848.
The city and its county
Houston and Harris County
Houston 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).
Houston
Map of Harris County, Texas, with Houston marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Houston
Harris County
Other cities with a page
Houston's own numbers
Typical home value
$277,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,361
Typical yearly household income
$64,813
Households that own their home
42%
Effective property tax rate
1.51%
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 Houston is worth $277,800: about the same as the county and 2% below Texas. With the typical household income in Houston ($64,813 a year), a typical home costs 4.3 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.
Houston4.3 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
Houston 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
Houston$277,800
Harris$276,600
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Houston$1,361
Harris$1,401
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Houston$64,813
Harris$74,983
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Houston next to Harris County and Texas
Measure
Houston
Harris County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$277,800
$276,600
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,361 ▼3% below the county
$1,401
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$64,813 ▼14% below the county
$74,983
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
42% ▼13 points below the county
55%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,198 ▼6% below the county
$4,489
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.51% ▼0.11 points below the county
1.62%
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 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 Houston
For a typical $277,800 home in Houston, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Houston's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,436a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$9,723
Cash to close
$18,057
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $123
Conventional, 5% down$2,385a month
Down payment
$13,890
Cash to close
$22,224
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $132
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,971a month
Down payment
$55,560
Cash to close
$63,894
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,228a month
Down payment
$41,670
Cash to close
$50,004
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Houston
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,436
$9,723
$272,768
7.18%
FHA MIP · $123
$18,057
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,385
$13,890
$263,910
7.18%
PMI · $132
$22,224
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,971
$55,560
$222,240
7.18%
None
$63,894
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,228
$41,670
$236,130
8.18%
None
$50,004
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 Houston is $1,361 a month: 3% below the county. In Houston, 54% 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 Houston
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Houston has 73 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,020 in 77012 to $2,250 in 77098.
28 of the 73 are above the fair market rent for Harris County ($1,497).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 73 ZIP codes of Houston, beside the one for Harris County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,020 in 77012 to $2,250 in 77098. 28 of the 73 are above the fair market rent for Harris County ($1,497).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,497
Lowest: $1,020 (77012)Highest: $2,250 (77098)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Houston, fiscal year 2027.
77002
$1,850
$1,900
$2,250
$3,030
$3,760
77003
$1,450
$1,480
$1,760
$2,370
$2,940
77004
$1,220
$1,250
$1,480
$1,990
$2,470
77006
$1,850
$1,900
$2,250
$3,030
$3,760
77007
$1,850
$1,900
$2,250
$3,030
$3,760
77008
$1,490
$1,530
$1,810
$2,440
$3,030
77009
$1,100
$1,130
$1,340
$1,810
$2,240
77010
$1,850
$1,900
$2,250
$3,030
$3,760
77011
$930
$950
$1,130
$1,520
$1,890
77012
$840
$860
$1,020
$1,370
$1,700
77013
$1,010
$1,040
$1,230
$1,660
$2,060
77016
$1,050
$1,070
$1,270
$1,710
$2,120
77017
$960
$980
$1,160
$1,560
$1,940
77018
$1,170
$1,200
$1,420
$1,910
$2,370
77019
$1,850
$1,900
$2,250
$3,030
$3,760
77020
$860
$880
$1,050
$1,410
$1,760
77021
$1,110
$1,140
$1,350
$1,820
$2,260
77022
$970
$990
$1,180
$1,590
$1,970
77023
$960
$990
$1,170
$1,580
$1,960
77024
$1,690
$1,730
$2,050
$2,760
$3,430
77025
$1,390
$1,420
$1,690
$2,280
$2,820
77026
$840
$860
$1,020
$1,370
$1,700
77027
$1,840
$1,880
$2,230
$3,010
$3,730
77028
$1,040
$1,060
$1,260
$1,700
$2,110
77029
$1,020
$1,040
$1,240
$1,670
$2,070
77030
$1,680
$1,720
$2,040
$2,750
$3,410
77031
$960
$980
$1,160
$1,560
$1,940
77032
$1,090
$1,110
$1,320
$1,780
$2,210
77033
$1,140
$1,160
$1,380
$1,860
$2,310
77034
$1,060
$1,090
$1,290
$1,740
$2,160
77035
$1,000
$1,030
$1,220
$1,640
$2,040
77036
$1,080
$1,100
$1,310
$1,770
$2,190
77042
$1,310
$1,340
$1,590
$2,140
$2,660
77043
$1,300
$1,330
$1,580
$2,130
$2,640
77045
$1,190
$1,220
$1,450
$1,950
$2,420
77046
$1,580
$1,620
$1,920
$2,590
$3,210
77047
$1,520
$1,560
$1,850
$2,490
$3,090
77048
$1,200
$1,230
$1,460
$1,970
$2,440
77051
$1,200
$1,230
$1,460
$1,970
$2,440
77054
$1,460
$1,490
$1,770
$2,390
$2,960
77055
$1,120
$1,150
$1,360
$1,830
$2,270
77056
$1,820
$1,860
$2,210
$2,980
$3,690
77057
$1,410
$1,440
$1,710
$2,300
$2,860
77059
$1,640
$1,680
$1,990
$2,680
$3,330
77060
$1,050
$1,070
$1,270
$1,710
$2,120
77061
$860
$880
$1,040
$1,400
$1,740
77062
$1,200
$1,230
$1,460
$1,970
$2,440
77063
$1,330
$1,360
$1,610
$2,170
$2,690
77071
$960
$980
$1,160
$1,560
$1,940
77072
$1,140
$1,160
$1,380
$1,860
$2,310
77074
$1,040
$1,060
$1,260
$1,700
$2,110
77075
$1,080
$1,100
$1,310
$1,770
$2,190
77076
$1,040
$1,060
$1,260
$1,700
$2,110
77077
$1,460
$1,490
$1,770
$2,390
$2,960
77078
$1,210
$1,240
$1,470
$1,980
$2,460
77079
$1,530
$1,570
$1,860
$2,510
$3,110
77080
$1,140
$1,160
$1,380
$1,860
$2,310
77081
$1,040
$1,060
$1,260
$1,700
$2,110
77082
$1,290
$1,320
$1,570
$2,120
$2,620
77084
$1,400
$1,430
$1,700
$2,290
$2,840
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
77002 $2,250$3,030
77003 $1,760$2,370
77004 $1,480$1,990
77006 $2,250$3,030
77007 $2,250$3,030
77008 $1,810$2,440
77009 $1,340$1,810
77010 $2,250$3,030
77011 $1,130$1,520
77012 $1,020$1,370
77013 $1,230$1,660
77016 $1,270$1,710
77017 $1,160$1,560
77018 $1,420$1,910
77019 $2,250$3,030
77020 $1,050$1,410
77021 $1,350$1,820
77022 $1,180$1,590
77023 $1,170$1,580
77024 $2,050$2,760
77025 $1,690$2,280
77026 $1,020$1,370
77027 $2,230$3,010
77028 $1,260$1,700
77029 $1,240$1,670
77030 $2,040$2,750
77031 $1,160$1,560
77032 $1,320$1,780
77033 $1,380$1,860
77034 $1,290$1,740
77035 $1,220$1,640
77036 $1,310$1,770
77042 $1,590$2,140
77043 $1,580$2,130
77045 $1,450$1,950
77046 $1,920$2,590
77047 $1,850$2,490
77048 $1,460$1,970
77051 $1,460$1,970
77054 $1,770$2,390
77055 $1,360$1,830
77056 $2,210$2,980
77057 $1,710$2,300
77059 $1,990$2,680
77060 $1,270$1,710
77061 $1,040$1,400
77062 $1,460$1,970
77063 $1,610$2,170
77071 $1,160$1,560
77072 $1,380$1,860
77074 $1,260$1,700
77075 $1,310$1,770
77076 $1,260$1,700
77077 $1,770$2,390
77078 $1,470$1,980
77079 $1,860$2,510
77080 $1,380$1,860
77081 $1,260$1,700
77082 $1,570$2,120
77084 $1,700$2,290
Here are 60 of the 73 ZIP codes of Houston. The other 13 are in the tool: Is your rent high for your ZIP? 18 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Houston 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)
HUD lists 270 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Houston. These are the largest.
Vista on Gessner6005 S Gessner Rd, Houston 77036805 low-income homes · 1 bd: 564 · 2 bd: 241 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
Cuney Homes1807 Ewing St, Houston 77004595 homes, 593 low-income · Run by Houston Housing Authority · Average payment: $281 a month(713) 260-0500
Pines of Westbury Phase II12500 Dunlap St, Houston 77035563 low-income homes · 1 bd: 184 · 2 bd: 283 · 3 bd: 96 · In service since 1996
The Bridges15915 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston 77068452 low-income homes · 1 bd: 268 · 2 bd: 136 · 3 bd: 48 · In service since 1996
Haverstock Hills West5609 Aldine Bender Rd, Houston 77032432 low-income homes · For families(281) 449-2323
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.
1 program is for Houston or Harris County, by its own record: they come first, each with what its official page says about being open. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Houston the same as in the rest of the state.
City of Houston interest-free forgivable loan of up to $75,000 for the down payment, closing costs or to buy down the mortgage of first-time buyers with income up to 80% of the median; forgiven if you live in the home eight years.Offered by City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD).
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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston?
The typical home value in Houston is $277,800, 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 Houston?
Typical rent in Houston is $1,361 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 Houston?
Houston 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 Houston?
The typical homeowner in Houston pays $4,198 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.51% of the home’s value; in Harris County, the rate is 1.62%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Houston?
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.
