How Much Salary Do You Need To Buy A Home In Houston's Top Neighborhoods
Find the best places to live in Houston for your budget.
Forbes, Money Magazine, and the _US Census Bureau, all list Houston as one of the most affordable cities in the country (1).
The cost of living in Houston ranks third lowest among the top 20 most populous US metros. Based on the cost of living data, it's 29.2% cheaper to live here than in the 20 biggest cities in the country (2).
We analyzed median home prices & estimated salary requirements for the 52 best neighborhoods in the Houston area to help you decide where you can best afford to live.
We have great lenders. Contact Paige Martin at [email protected] for great mortgage banking recommendations. Paige Martin is ranked as the #1 Keller Williams Realtor in Houston and #5 Keller Williams Realtor in the United States.
Table of Contents
- Houston Home Salary Requirements Highlights & Data
- Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
- Under $80,000: Where can I Afford to Live in Houston?
- $80,000 to $150,000: Best Neighborhoods
- $150,000 to $250,000: Cost of Luxury Homes
- Over $250,000: Most Expensive Areas
- Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
- The Best Houston Realtor to Sell Your Home
Houston Home Salary Requirements Highlights & Data
“Paige Martin is Houston's best Realtor. She is highly experienced and very knowledgeable. She made our buying experience an enjoyable one, not only for us, but for our daughter, son-in-law and several of our friends. We have bought and sold many houses, and Paige has been the best realtor we have ever worked with. We highly recommend her and The Houston Properties Team.” Jeremy & Lynn Greene
Highlights
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As reflected in the data below, homebuyers are spending more in monthly payments than they would two years ago on a similar property given increased prices.
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Homeowners who benefited from lower mortgage rates are less motivated to move (and sell).
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The new mortgage rates have impacted the real estate market. The data below shows the home price range in Houston's top neighborhoods with today's mortgage rate.
As always, real estate is hyper-local. See how your neighborhood and the home affordability are doing.
Data Summary
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The neighborhoods we selected came from our lists of:
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Our estimates of Houston home salary requirements used a 20% down payment. However, some lenders have special 0% or 5% down loans. Contact me for a list of recommended mortgage providers and who to avoid.
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Houston median home prices below include only single-family homes unless otherwise stated. Methods and calculations for the salary needed to live comfortably in Houston are listed at the bottom of this article (1).
Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
If you’d like to see any specific single-family homes, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected]
Note: We're only displaying the first ten neighborhoods per section here. For the full list, please refer to the tables under each respective salary range below.
Under $80,000: Where can I Afford to Live in Houston?
"The Houston Properties Team was absolutely amazing. I had initially listed with a different realtor that was recommended by a neighbor with very poor results. It was even more difficult because I was no longer in Houston and the trust I had put in the other agent was definitely taken advantage of. However, when I found Kim with the Houston Properties Team, all that changed. I was informed throughout the process and when she promised something would be done, it was. Before the experience with her, I swore off ever even considering purchasing a home again. She restored my faith in the real estate world." – Jeanette (Google Review)
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Corners | $251,000 | $79,000 | 53% |
| Alief | $255,000 | $78,000 | 47% |
| Winrock | $189,000 | $77,000 | -14% |
| Medical Center South | $247,000 | $76,000 | 48% |
| Pasadena | $247,500 | $76,000 | 29% |
| Hempstead | $247,500 | $75,000 | 17% |
| Bacliff/San Leon | $245,000 | $75,000 | N/A |
| Sharpstown Area | $248,000 | $75,000 | 34% |
| Aldine Area | $235,000 | $74,000 | 51% |
| Northeast Houston | $235,540 | $73,000 | 57% |
| Willis/New Waverly | $249,000 | $73,000 | 16% |
| Hobby Area | $232,750 | $72,000 | 40% |
| La Marque | $230,000 | $72,000 | 43% |
| South Houston | $220,000 | $67,000 | 27% |
Five Corners
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Corners | $251,000 | $79,000 | 53% |
Located just south of the Medical Center Area, Five Corners is a large neighborhood just inside Beltway 8.
The area is popular for its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: Five Corners homes are minutes away from several main roads and freeways, including Beltway 8, Highway 288, Loop 610, Fort Bend Pkwy, and US 90 Alt.
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PROXIMITY TO JOB CENTERS: The Downtown, Medical Center, and Galleria area highly accessible from Five Corners.
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GREAT APPRECIATION RATES: One of Houston's Best Close-In Neighborhoods, Five Corners real estate has posted impressive appreciation rates over the past decade.
Five Corners homes come in a wide variety of architectural styles, including traditional, modern, colonial, and English styles. Price points are similar to neighboring Brays Oaks, starting at around $120,000.
Alief
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alief | $255,000 | $78,000 | 47% |
Alief is a neighborhood located in southwest Houston. It’s known for its proximity to major highways, top-notch schools, and recreational parks.
Several factors make this neighborhood appealing, including:
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CONVENIENT LOCATION: Alief's location provides easy access to major highways, including the Sam Houston Tollway and Westpark Tollway. The neighborhood is also close to several major shopping centers, including the Galleria and Sugar Park Plaza.
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TOP-RATED SCHOOLS: Alief boasts top-notch schools like Mahanay Elementary School, within the Alief Independent School District.
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PLENTY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: The neighborhood has several parks, including Alief Community Park and Hackberry Park, which offer playgrounds, trails, and sports fields. The Alief Family YMCA provides fitness programs and recreational activities for residents of all ages.
Alief is close to Sugar Land Business Park, home to several businesses. These include Tramontina, Shell, Chevron, and BMC Software.
Medical Center South
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Center South | $247,000 | $76,000 | 48% |
Medical Center South is in the southern part of Houston, Texas. It is home to a variety of businesses, including medical offices and hospitals.
Medical Center South is famous for its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: The community has access to the Galleria, Downtown, and other major areas. It is well-served by public transportation, with bus lines and a light rail station.
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EXCELLENT AMENITIES: Medical Center South offers excellent amenities. It has several parks and recreation areas within its community.
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WELL-KNOWN HOSPITALS: Residents can access various reputable hospitals. These include Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center.
Medical Center South is near the Texas Medical Center. It is one of the largest medical centers in the world.
$80,000 to $150,000: Best Neighborhoods
Many of Houston’s most popular neighborhoods are also, historically, the best performers in real estate appreciation. Contact us for a custom list of homes in these areas.
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford Area | $269,949 | $82,000 | 45% |
| Huffman Area | $267,490 | $82,000 | -14% |
| Humble Area East | $260,000 | $82,000 | 52% |
| Humble Area West | $260,000 | $82,000 | 52% |
| Southbelt / Ellington | $269,000 | $83,000 | 56% |
| Conroe Northeast | $252,000 | $83,000 | 44% |
| 1960/Cypress Creek South | $258,990 | $83,000 | 56% |
| Spring East | $257,000 | $83,000 | 46% |
| Humble Area South | $264,950 | $84,000 | 46% |
| Willowbrook South | $270,000 | $84,000 | 61% |
| Northside | $275,000 | $85,000 | 31% |
| Porter / New Caney West | $250,000 | $85,000 | 20% |
| La Porte/Shoreacres | $278,170 | $86,000 | 51% |
| Bear Creek South | $280,000 | $88,000 | 64% |
| Alvin South | $290,000 | $91,000 | 62% |
| Deer Park | $289,000 | $91,000 | 56% |
| 1960/Cypress | $299,000 | $92,000 | 60% |
| Northwest Houston | $297,000 | $92,000 | 64% |
| Mission Bend Area | $300,000 | $92,000 | 73% |
| 1960/Cypress Creek North | $305,000 | $93,000 | 64% |
| Conroe Southeast | $287,000 | $93,000 | 40% |
| Brays Oaks | $306,000 | $93,000 | 27% |
| Crosby Area | $279,950 | $93,000 | 53% |
| Medical Center Area | $250,000 | $93,000 | 13% |
| Atascocita North | $303,850 | $94,000 | 48% |
| Missouri City Area | $297,897 | $94,000 | 39% |
| Dickinson | $300,000 | $94,000 | 46% |
| Katy North | $304,995 | $95,000 | 67% |
| Kingwood West | $309,999 | $96,000 | 58% |
| Atascocita South | $308,500 | $97,000 | 46% |
| Conroe Southwest | $304,990 | $99,000 | 12% |
| Denver Harbor | $330,000 | $102,000 | 22% |
| Hockley | $299,945 | $102,000 | 42% |
| Lake Conroe Area | $332,394 | $102,000 | 36% |
| Copperfield Area | $331,200 | $102,000 | 63% |
| Sugar Land North | $340,000 | $102,000 | 27% |
| Porter / New Caney East | $309,900 | $103,000 | 20% |
| University Area | $330,000 | $103,000 | 26% |
| Kingwood NW/Oakhurst | $302,000 | $103,000 | 12% |
| Magnolia/1488 West | $315,000 | $104,000 | 26% |
| Spring/Klein | $334,000 | $104,000 | 51% |
| Willow Meadows Area | $350,000 | $105,000 | 9% |
| Spring/Klein/Tomball | $335,000 | $106,000 | 55% |
| Oak Forest West | $357,500 | $107,000 | 39% |
| Santa Fe | $353,270 | $108,000 | 85% |
| Brookshire | $320,000 | $109,000 | 5% |
| Jersey Village | $353,000 | $109,000 | 53% |
| Eldridge North | $360,000 | $110,000 | 27% |
| Champions Area | $360,000 | $111,000 | 53% |
| East End Revitalized | $352,575 | $112,000 | 20% |
| Fort Bend South / Richmond | $341,560 | $112,000 | 62% |
| Clear Lake Area | $365,000 | $113,000 | 53% |
| Magnolia/1488 East | $352,500 | $114,000 | 25% |
| Galleria | $311,000 | $115,000 | 4% |
| Kingwood South | $380,000 | $116,000 | 70% |
| Riverside | $375,000 | $116,000 | 9% |
| League City | $375,000 | $117,000 | 56% |
| Waller | $350,000 | $117,000 | 51% |
| Friendswood | $391,000 | $118,000 | 64% |
| Pearland | $378,650 | $119,000 | 54% |
| Cypress North | $380,000 | $119,000 | 60% |
| Tomball | $375,000 | $121,000 | 47% |
| Downtown Houston | $288,750 | $124,000 | 7% |
| Tomball South/Lakewood | $395,000 | $125,000 | 57% |
| Summerwood / Lakeshore | $375,400 | $126,000 | 39% |
| Katy Southeast | $425,000 | $130,000 | 46% |
| Katy Old Towne | $380,000 | $130,000 | 58% |
| Fort Bend County North / Richmond | $407,711 | $132,000 | 63% |
| Kingwood East | $429,275 | $132,000 | 48% |
| Spring Northeast | $410,000 | $132,000 | 74% |
| Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde | $406,790 | $133,000 | 38% |
| Spring Branch | $434,090 | $135,000 | 31% |
| Sugar Land East | $460,000 | $137,000 | 45% |
| Sienna Area | $412,000 | $138,000 | 13% |
| Midtown Houston | $386,500 | $138,000 | 10% |
| Alvin North | $410,000 | $140,000 | 73% |
| Energy Corridor | $462,000 | $140,000 | 34% |
| Shepherd Park Plaza Area | $459,900 | $141,000 | 7% |
| Tomball Southwest | $430,000 | $144,000 | 3% |
| Oak Forest East | $490,000 | $146,000 | 42% |
| Fulshear/South Brookshire | $440,000 | $146,000 | 6% |
| Sugar Land West | $465,000 | $146,000 | 47% |
| Cypress South | $435,490 | $148,000 | 48% |
| Charnwood/Briarbend | $432,500 | $148,000 | -2% |
| Fort Bend Southeast | $501,000 | $149,000 | 11% |
| Meyerland Area | $500,000 | $150,000 | 14% |
Stafford Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stafford Area | $269,949 | $82,000 | 45% |
Stafford is a 7-square-mile city about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Houston. It is bound by Houston (north), Sugar Land (west), and Missouri City (southeast). The city is popular for its business-friendliness and close-knit communities and features convenient travel, nearby employment centers, and outdoor spaces.
The neighborhood is famous for its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: The primary Street in the city is the US Highway 90 Alternate. Main roads and thoroughfares (Beltway 8, I-69, Highway 6) are just minutes away from Stafford homes. Connecting Rosenberg and Richmond and to downtown Houston.
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BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT NEARBY: The city has 15 business parks and is home to companies from various industries. Big companies like Cooper Valves, Fiserv Inc., and Flextronics International are situated in the city.
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GREEN SPACES: The city has over 35 acres of green space. Popular destinations include Gordon Fountain Lake Park, Vaccaro Manor Park, and Stafford Centre.
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RETAIL AND DINING OPTIONS: Stafford homes are just minutes away from restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping centers. The Fountains Shopping Center, located along I-69, features several restaurants and stores.
Notably, Stafford is the “Island of Business Opportunity.”
Huffman Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huffman Area | $267,490 | $82,000 | -14% |
Huffman Area is a 35-minute drive from the northeastern outskirts of Houston. This makes accessing the Medical Center, Downtown, and local shops in Huffman easy.
Huffman Area’s commendable aspects include:
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SUPERB ARCHITECTURE: Homes in the area feature a mix of traditional and ranch styles. Huffman Area’s properties offer spacious yards and increased privacy for residents.
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PARKS AND TRAILS: Picturesque trails wind through Huffman Area’s lush landscapes. Huffman Area has vast green space making it great for hike and bike trail adventures. IT May Park is only a few minutes away.
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PROXIMITY TO MAJOR ROADS: Huffman Area is near major roadways like FM 1960 and the Eastex Freeway. This offers residents easy access to neighboring areas and Houston.
Huffman Area boasts a lower population density. This fosters a closer-knit community atmosphere compared to some other Houston neighborhoods.
Humble Area East
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humble Area East | $260,000 | $82,000 | 52% |
Located just outside of Beltway 8, Humble Area East is an independent city and is considered one of the best suburbs in Houston.
Humble is a popular option because of its:
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HIGH ACCESSIBILITY: Humble Area East is conveniently located near major highways, including US-59 and Beltway 8, providing easy access to downtown Houston and other surrounding areas.
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VIBRANT RETAIL AND DINING: Residents enjoy easy access to a wide range of retail and dining options. Deerbrook Mall is located nearby and offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences.
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BEAUTIFUL PARKS: The area is home to several parks, including Lindsay/Lyons Park and Schott Park. These parks typically feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and multi-use trails.
Humble Area East offers an array of options, including single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family properties. Single-family homes sit on spacious lots ranging from 10,000 sq. ft. to over 40,000 sq. ft.
$150,000 to $250,000: Cost of Luxury Homes
Buying or selling a home within the best neighborhoods in Houston can be very tricky. With over $1B real estate sales, the Houston Properties Team is the #1 Boutique Real Estate Team in Houston. Contact us for a custom Houston cost of living calculator, and we can review your options.
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosharon | $532,495 | $154,000 | N/A |
| Cottage Grove | $518,000 | $161,000 | 27% |
| Washington East/Sabine | $540,000 | $164,000 | 29% |
| Knollwood/Woodside | $555,600 | $166,000 | 16% |
| Katy Southwest | $517,000 | $167,000 | 47% |
| Rice Military/Washington Corridor | $562,350 | $171,000 | 18% |
| Greenway Plaza | $447,500 | $178,000 | 0% |
| Sugar Land South | $620,000 | $188,000 | 36% |
| The Woodlands | $638,000 | $190,000 | 67% |
| Briargrove Park/Walnutbend | $645,000 | $194,000 | 49% |
| Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $647,530 | $199,000 | 58% |
| Heights/Greater Heights | $675,000 | $205,000 | 43% |
| Memorial West | $700,000 | $217,000 | 35% |
| Montrose | $778,768 | $233,000 | 19% |
| Garden Oaks | $845,000 | $250,000 | 89% |
Rosharon
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosharon | $532,495 | $154,000 | N/A |
Rosharon, an unincorporated neighborhood, features a small collection of master-planned communities and subdivisions with a small-town feel.
It is a known desired neighborhood for its:
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MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES: Rosharon homes have numerous master-planned communities like Lakes of Savannah and Sterling Lakes. These neighborhoods offer facilities on par with the best suburbs of Houston, such as nearby Pearland and Sugar Land.
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GREAT ACCESSIBILITY: The neighborhood is conveniently close to major roadways while being nestled away from the clamor of the city. Residents enjoy access to Houston’s top districts, such as Texas Medical Center, Sugar Land Business Park, and Downtown Houston.
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RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS: Rosharon features a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options while being primarily a residential area. There are a variety of retail and food establishments, both inside and outside of its borders, such as Stanton Shopping Center, Brazos Mall, and Pearland Town Center.
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TOP RANKED SCHOOLS: Sienna Crossing Elementary and Ridge Point High School, two of the top Houston schools, offer education to residents in Rosharon.
The housing possibilities in Rosharon range from modest patio houses to opulent country estates. A top Houston realtor and one of the most active real estate brokers in the community can be helpful to homebuyers.
Cottage Grove
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | $518,000 | $161,000 | 27% |
Located just south of The Heights, Cottage Grove is one of the Best Houston Neighborhoods in Land Value Appreciation. This neighborhood offers exclusive gated communities, top schools, and multiple outdoor activity hubs.
Cottage Grove is popular thanks to its:
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LUXURY COMMUNITIES: The neighborhood’s reemergence brought luxury development like Larkin at Cottage Grove, Patterson Heights, Reserve on Kansas, and Reserve at Washington. These exclusive gated communities offer new construction homes, luxury amenities, and secure access.
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TOP SCHOOLS: Lamar High School, an IB World School and one of Houston’s Best Schools, serves a portion of Cottage Grove. Hogg Middle School, serving the IB Middle Years Programme, is also zoned to the neighborhood.
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HUBS: Memorial Park, Houston’s largest urban park, is minutes away from Cottage Grove. Residents have plenty of outdoor activity options: Memorial Park Golf Course, miles of multi-use trails, picnic areas, tennis courts, and other facilities.
Residents have plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, lounges, and retail centers nearby. Cottage Grove is located near the Heights and Rice Military, both of which offer great entertainment options.
Washington East/Sabine
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington East/Sabine | $540,000 | $164,000 | 29% |
Located at the center of Houston is Washington East/Sabine. It's nestled within the Inner Loop neighborhood.
Washington East/Sabine is famous for its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: I-10 and I-45 are a short distance from Washington East/Sabine residents. Using the interstates, The Galleria is 10 minutes away from the residents.
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NEARBY ACTIVITIES: Residents are a short distance from Memorial Park and Museum District. Memorial park features courts, pools, and trails. Museum District features 19 cultural centers for arts, sciences, maths, and others.
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CENTRAL LOCATION: Residents enjoy a short commute to Houston's Central Business hubs. Residents are only 5 minutes from Downtown and 10 minutes from Texas Medical center. They are the two major employment hubs in Houston.
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PARKS AND TRAILS Residents are minutes from multi-use green spaces surrounding the neighborhood. Crowd favorites are Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou, and White Oak Bayou.
Zoned to Washington East/Sabine is The Houston Independent School District. Students in the area can attend Crockett elementary school, Marshall Middle School, and Heights High School.
Over $250,000: Most Expensive Areas
Whether you buy or sell first depends on the current market and your unique situation. Both options come with an element of risk. Our experience taught us to make the proper assessment out of the overall scenario every homeowner is in. Contact us to help you make the most viable decision.
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westchase Area | $811,000 | $257,000 | 15% |
| Tiki Island | $845,000 | $260,000 | 86% |
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $992,583 | $295,000 | 33% |
| Briar Hollow | $764,500 | $297,000 | 50% |
| Rice / Museum District | $1,030,000 | $306,000 | 37% |
| Upper Kirby | $1,048,095 | $311,000 | 34% |
| Briargrove | $1,140,000 | $343,000 | 40% |
| Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks | $1,175,000 | $352,000 | 42% |
| Bellaire Area | $1,200,000 | $358,000 | 25% |
| Highland Village / Midlane | $1,235,000 | $369,000 | 55% |
| Braeswood Place | $1,356,375 | $403,000 | 77% |
| Memorial Park | $1,560,000 | $480,000 | 4% |
| West University/Southside Area | $1,862,500 | $545,000 | 48% |
| Memorial Villages | $2,096,652 | $622,000 | 23% |
| Tanglewood Area | $2,160,000 | $649,000 | 35% |
| Memorial Close In | $2,300,000 | $694,000 | 22% |
| River Oaks Area | $3,226,514 | $965,000 | 53% |
| Rivercrest | $5,226,100 | $1,589,000 | 89% |
Westchase Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westchase Area | $811,000 | $257,000 | 15% |
Located southeast of the Energy Corridor, Westchase covers over 4 square miles of land.
Westchase area is well-known due to its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: Residents have access to several major thoroughfares, including State Highway 6, Beltway 8, and Westheimer Road, offering short commutes to key districts like the Galleria and Downtown.
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PROXIMITY TO ENERGY CORRIDOR: The Energy Corridor is one of the largest employment centers in Houston. Several energy companies have offices in the area.
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OUTDOOR RECREATION OPTIONS: Royal Oaks Country Club is one of Houston's best golf course communities. In addition, residents enjoy Woodchase Park which features a dog park, a water misting feature, and a multi-purpose pavilion.
The Westchase area offers an array of housing options spanning from single-family homes to townhomes, ranging from $300,000 to over $3,000,000.
Tiki Island
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiki Island | $845,000 | $260,000 | 86% |
Tiki Island is a lovely neighborhood situated on a small man-made island with a unique island vibe and beautiful coastal sights in Galveston Bay. It is also close to Houston and Galveston.
Tiki Island is known for its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: Tiki Island is close to major highways like Interstate 45 and Highway 146. This makes it easy to travel to Downtown Houston.
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EXCLUSIVENESS: The community of Tiki Island is known for its tight-knit and friendly atmosphere. The community has its security force, keeping residents safe and secure.
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Tiki Island features parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The nearby Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provide ample opportunities for swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing.
Tiki Island has had a stable appreciation of property values. The community compares well with the best Houston neighborhoods in land value appreciation.
River Oaks Shopping Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $992,583 | $295,000 | 33% |
River Oaks Shopping Area is nestled between River Oaks and Montrose. Rice Military borders the north side, while Upper Kirby is on the southwest of the neighborhood.
The district is highly in demand thanks to its:
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EXCELLENT LOCATION: River Oaks Shopping Area boasts an excellent location within the Inner Loop and provides easy access to Downtown, Galleria, and the Medical Center. Along with the Highland Village, boutiques and restaurants in Westheimer and San Felipe are minutes away.
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SHOPPING, DINING, AND ENTERTAINMENT: The area is home to the River Oaks Shopping Center which has 100+ retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The River Oaks Theater, Houston's premier art house cinema, is within the shopping center.
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TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: The neighborhood is zoned to top-ranked schools such as Lanier Middle and Lamar High School. Both are IB World Schools.
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PARKS & RECREATION: The neighborhood is a few minutes away from River Oaks Park. Memorial Park, one of Houston's largest urban parks, is just a short drive away. The park features a golf course, tennis courts, trails, and picnic areas.
River Oaks Shopping Area is near major thoroughfares, including Katy Freeway (I-10), Loop 610, and Southwest Freeway (US 59).
Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
With all the available information out there about Houston's top areas, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which neighborhood to choose. Get the advice of the best Houston Realtors and remove the guesswork when looking for one of the best homes in Houston to live in.
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*Default median housing price values are from single-family homes. Neighborhoods with * are exceptions. Condos, townhomes, and single family homes are considered. This is due to the above-average number of condos/townhomes in these market areas.
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We used the following assumptions for calculating monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) using data from https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/:
- 20% down payment
- 6.69% interest rate with a 30-year mortgage with no PMI
- The neighborhood tax rate, per HAR MLS data, per area
- A 20% average Texas Homestead discount (per HCAD.org, fbcad.org & mcad-tx.org)
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The neighborhood median HOA fee if applicable. This mostly applies to * communities where condos or townhomes are included like Downtown Houston.
- 0.5% annual insurance costs
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Annual home prices are based on HAR MLS reported sales for the prior year between January 1 and May 31. Starting on June 1, the current year HAR MLS sales data is used.
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For annual appreciation or depreciation salary requirement rates, we did not make any modifications based on the most recent tax reform act. We assumed taxes rates were constant in our calculations between monthly PITI costs and salary requirements.
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For “can comfortably afford” salary assumptions, we used that 28% of gross income could be used toward monthly PITI costs. Financial planners often say that 25-33% of income can be used toward monthly PITI payments. For qualification purposes, underwriters typically defer to their “back end” ratio which includes liabilities on credit reports. These include all revolving, installment, and mortgage liabilities. For this ratio, 36% is normally used in planning and around 43% is the maximum allowed.
- Reporters or news outlets, please contact Paige@HoustonProperties.com for an Excel export of every neighborhood’s associated data and calculations.
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Data is deemed accurate but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only.
The Best Houston Realtor to Sell Your Home
The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
Paige Martin, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, and the Houston Properties Team are ranked amongst the top residential Realtors in the world.
They have been featured on TV and in dozens of publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Reuters, Fox News in the Morning, Money Magazine, Houston Business Journal, Houstonia, and Houston Chronicle.
Paige Martin was just ranked as the #5 agent in the world with Keller Williams, and has completed over $1,000,000,000 in Houston residential real estate sales.
Recent awards include:
- 2021: America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents
- 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2021: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
- 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2021: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
- 2020: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2020: #6 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2020: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas (Top Keller Williams Realtor)
- 2020: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
- 2019: Top Residential Realtors in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2019: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2019: #5 Individual Agent, KW Worldwide
- 2019: #1 Individual Agent, KW Texas
- 2018: #5 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2018: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2018: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2018: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2017: #10 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2017: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2017: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2017: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2016: #20 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2016: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2016: Five Star Realtor, Featured in Texas Monthly
- 2016: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: #9 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, United States
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2015: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2015: Five Star Realtor, Texas Monthly Magazine
- 2014: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2014: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams Memorial
. . . in addition to over 318 additional awards.
Paige also serves a variety of non-profits, civic and community boards and was appointed by Houston’s Mayor to be on the downtown TIRZ board.
Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team
Our Team, composed of distinguished and competent Houston luxury Realtors, has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member.
We find team approach as the most effective way to sell homes. We have dedicated people doing staging, marketing, social media, open houses and showings. Each Houston Properties Team member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
The benefits of working with a team include:
- ability to be in two or three places at one time: a member can handle showings, while another answer calls
- collective time and experience of members
- targeted advise and marketing of agent expert in your area
- competitive advantage by simply having more resources, ideas, and more perspectives
- a “Checks and Balances” system. Selling and buying a home in Houston is an intensely complex process
- more people addressing field calls and questions from buyers and agents to facilitate a faster successful sale
- efficient multi-tasking: One agent takes care of inspections and/or repair work, while another agent is focused on administrative details
- multiple marketing channels using members’ networks
- constant attention: guaranteed focus on your home and your transaction
- lower risk for mistakes. Multiple moving parts increase oversights. A team approach handles these “parts” separately
- flexibility in negotiation and marketing
- better management of document flow
- increased foot traffic through more timely and effective showing schedule coordination; and
- increased Sphere of Influence and exposure to more potential buyers.
To meet all the award-winning members of The Houston Properties Team, please go here.
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