How Much Income You Need To Buy A Home In West / Southwest Houston
Where can I afford to live in Houston's top western/
Cost of living in Houston ranks second lowest among the nation’s top 20 most populous US metropolitan areas(1). Suburbs in West / Southwest Houston rank highly in affordability.
Fort Bend County ranked 13th in Forbes’ America’s Fastest-Growing Counties list, also features the most master-planned communities than any county in Texas.
These neighborhoods often feature amenities like swimming pools, waterparks and splash pads, pocket parks, hike-and-bike trails, tennis courts, sports fields, and recreation centers. Some offer unique or themed amenities, from golf courses to village farms.
To help you answer the question "where can I afford to live in West / Southwest Houston?", we analyzed median home prices for its best communities.
Summary
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COVID-19 and subsequent government actions had an impact on the average American household's finances and purchasing power. See more details on the COVID impact on Houston.
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See why the 2020-2021 housing market saw a boom during a year of human misery.
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Appreciation was generally offset by the record-low interest rates.
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The areas where it is now cheaper to buy a house are neighborhoods that have flooding history.
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We're also seeing tremendous growth on well-established suburban areas zoned to top ranked schools.
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West / Southwest Houston is zoned to exemplary Independent School Districts (ISD) namely Katy ISD, Lamar CISD, Fort Bend ISD, and Houston ISD.
As always, real estate is hyper-local. See how your neighborhood is doing.
Data
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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 what (who) to avoid.
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Houston median home prices below include only single-family homes unless otherwise stated. Specific methodology and calculations are listed at the bottom of this article(2).
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
- Summary: Annual Salary & W/SW Suburbs Matrix
- Under $80K: Best Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
- $80K - $150K: Top Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
- $150K - $250K: Luxury Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
- Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
- Best Realtors In The Suburbs
Summary: Annual Salary & W/SW Suburbs Matrix
"The Houston Properties Team went above and beyond during the home buying and selling process. We first worked with Paige and her team in 2012 and chose to work with them again in 2021. Their knowledge of the market and trends by neighborhood made them trusted advisors and helped us negotiate the best prices. Additionally, they were with us every step of the way to ensure things were as simple and efficient as possible for us. They also have a fabulous list of contractors. We were especially happy with their recommendations for painting walls and refinishing floors before we moved in." - Jessica Graham
| Salary Range | Suburbs |
|---|---|
| Under $80k | Alief |
| $80k-$150k | Fort Bend County North / Richmond, Fort Bend South / Richmond, Katy North, Katy Old Towne, Katy Southeast, Missouri City Area, Sienna Area, Sugar Land East, Sugar Land North, Sugar Land West |
| $150k-$250k | Fort Bend Southeast, Fulshear/South Brookshire, Katy Southwest, Memorial West, Sugar Land South |
| $250k+ |
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 $80K: Best Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
These suburbs represent the "best of the best" that Houston has to offer, ranked by agents from the Houston Properties Team who know the best communities in Houston like the back of their hands. If you're interested in buying a home in any of the suburbs on this list and want to be absolutely sure that you're buying in a good area, contact us for recommendations.
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alief | $255,000 | $80,000 | 47% |
Alief
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alief | $255,000 | $80,000 | 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.
$80K - $150K: Top Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
“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
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Land West | $465,000 | $148,000 | 47% |
| Sienna Area | $422,015 | $143,000 | 16% |
| Sugar Land East | $466,000 | $141,000 | 47% |
| Energy Corridor | $455,000 | $140,000 | 32% |
| Fort Bend County North / Richmond | $410,000 | $134,000 | 64% |
| Katy Southeast | $428,500 | $133,000 | 47% |
| Katy Old Towne | $382,859 | $133,000 | 59% |
| Fort Bend South / Richmond | $339,995 | $114,000 | 61% |
| Brookshire | $320,000 | $112,000 | 5% |
| Sugar Land North | $339,900 | $103,000 | 27% |
| Katy North | $303,000 | $96,000 | 66% |
| Missouri City Area | $296,687 | $95,000 | 38% |
| Mission Bend Area | $300,000 | $93,000 | 73% |
| Bear Creek South | $280,000 | $89,000 | 64% |
| Stafford Area | $269,999 | $83,000 | 45% |
Sugar Land West
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Land West | $465,000 | $148,000 | 47% |
Part of the bigger Sugar Land area, Sugar Land West is made up of several neighborhoods and master-planned communities.
The area is in demand due to its:
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MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES: Sugar Land West is home to Telfair, New Territory, and Aliana. These communities typically feature great amenities like resort-style pools, parks, and multi-use trails.
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TOP-RATED SCHOOLS: Sugar Land West homes are zoned to some of the best schools in Houston. Walker Station Elementary, Brazos Bend Elementary, Cornerstone Elementary, and Oyster Creek Elementary serve parts of the area.
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GREAT REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION: Homes in the area have posted great appreciation rates in the past 10 years with a median sales price of about $470,000.
Sugar Land West is made up of older 1950s homes to newer construction in the area’s newer developments. Prices of homes can start at around $150,000 up to $1,000,000.
Sienna Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna Area | $422,015 | $143,000 | 16% |
Sienna Area is a 10,000-acre community located on major highways and freeways. It is near State Highway 288 and the Sam Houston Tollway Beltway 8.
The Sienna Area is popular for a variety of reasons, such as:
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VAST RECREATION OPTIONS: Residents can enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course of Sienna Golf Club. There is also the Brushy Lake Recreation Area, known for its fitness center and lake views. Other notable recreational areas are Sienna Stables and the Sienna Branch Library.
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EXCELLENT SPORTS AMENITIES: The Sienna Area has well-thought-out amenities. This includes water parks, pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a lakeside amphitheater. There is also the 160-acre sports complex known as Camp Sienna.
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HOME TO TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: Sienna Area is zoned to the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD). It is known for its top-ranked schools. Some of its best schools are Sienna Crossing Elementary, Billy Baines Middle, and Ridge Point High School.
Sienna Area is a lively community with a variety of home options in its master-planned setting. Residents have access to amenities that foster an active lifestyle.
Sugar Land East
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Land East | $466,000 | $141,000 | 47% |
Sugar Land East is located in one of Houston’s top suburban neighborhoods. It features easy access to business centers and several recreational spots.
Sugar Land East is popular due to its:
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BUSINESS CENTERS: It is one of Texas’ best cities for business expansion. The neighborhood is in proximity to Sugar Land Business Park. Sugar Land East offers access to major employment districts including Energy Corridor and Galleria.
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TOP-RATED SCHOOLS: Sugar Land East features some of Houston’s most excellent schools. It is zoned to Fort Bend Independent School district, one of Houston’s top districts in the area.
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RECREATIONAL DESTINATIONS: The community is near commercial establishments and shopping centers. Golf courses, lakes, and parks are within a few minutes from the neighborhood.
Sugar Land East offers stable real estate values on top of the community’s urban amenities. The continuous growth among business centers in the area contributes to the area’s positive condition.
$150K - $250K: Luxury Western / Southwestern Neighborhoods
Houston has a number of suburbs that offer incredible amenities, top-ranked public schools, and great access to key Houston employment and business hubs, which is why many choose to move here. To help you out, we've done the research and ranked only the best suburbs in this easy-to-follow guide so you can easily see which is the best suburb for you and your family.
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulshear/South Brookshire | $448,710 | $151,000 | 8% |
| Fort Bend Southeast | $499,450 | $151,000 | 11% |
| Katy Southwest | $515,668 | $169,000 | 47% |
| Sugar Land South | $620,000 | $191,000 | 36% |
| Memorial West | $700,000 | $221,000 | 35% |
Fulshear/South Brookshire
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulshear/South Brookshire | $448,710 | $151,000 | 8% |
Fulshear is a small incorporated city in Fort Bend County just 20 miles away from Energy Corridor. It has been featured by American City Business Journal (ACBJ) as one of “Houston’s Most Affluent Communities.”
Fulshear real estate has increased in popularity thanks to its:
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TOP-RANKED COMMUNITIES: Fulshear is also featured in ACBJ’s most affluent neighborhoods in Houston. Fulshear is home to some of Houston’s awarded communities, such as Cross Creek Ranch and Weston Lakes. Master-planned communities include Firethorne, and Fulbrook.
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CONVENIENT ACCESSIBILITY: Fulshear is located at the intersection of FM 359 and FM 1093. Grand Parkway 99 and I-10 are less than 10 miles away.
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ACCLAIMED SCHOOLS: Fulshear homes are zoned to the awarded Katy ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD. Students in the area attend some of Houston’s Best Schools. Some of the top schools in the area are Huggins Elementary, Woodcreek Jr High, and Tompkins High School.
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GREAT AMENITIES: Fulshear homes are minutes away from great outdoor recreation such as Flewellen Creek Park, Weston Lakes Country Club, and Katy Mills. Retail, dining, and entertainment are also just a stone's throw away.
Fulshear homes are nestled in large acres of land. The city’s more established neighborhoods mostly feature older ranch-style homes on large lots.
Fort Bend Southeast
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Bend Southeast | $499,450 | $151,000 | 11% |
Fort Bend Southeast is within the well-known Fort Bend County. It features nearby several luxurious neighborhoods and master-planned communities. This includes the cities of Sugar Land, Missouri, and Richmond.
Fort Bend Southeast community is famous for its:
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EXCLUSIVE PRIME LOCATION: Fort Bend is nearby Sugar Land and Pearland master-planned communities. It is close to several retail hubs and business districts. Its proximity to the Southwest Freeway and FM 762 makes the commute easier.
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: The neighborhood enjoys several parks and trails. There are courts, sports fields and swimming pools for the community's use.
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EXEMPLARY SCHOOLS: Fort Bend is zoned to some of Houston's Best Schools. Reading Jr High and George Ranch High School are National Blue Ribbon awardees. These schools serve the area.
Fort Bend Southeast has several retail and entertainment hubs. Residents can enjoy excellent dining and shopping options at Greatwood and Sienna.
Katy Southwest
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katy Southwest | $515,668 | $169,000 | 47% |
Katy Southwest is nestled in one of Houston's Best Suburbs. Several master-planned communities like Cross Creek Ranch and Falcon Point make up the area.
It is a location of choice due to its:
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EASY COMMUTE TO WORK: Plenty of headquarters sit in/around the area such as Shell Exploration, Wood Group, and BP North America. Energy Corridor is just a short drive from Katy Southwest.
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SOUGHT AFTER AMENITIES: The area offers varied options in pursuit of an active lifestyle. Water parks, golf courses, and resort-style pools are just a few of its several top-notch amenities.
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EXEMPLARY SCHOOLS: Award-winning Katy ISD served the neighborhood. Stanley Elementary, Beckendorff Jr High, and Seven Lakes High are just three of its several top schools.
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GREEN SPACE: Parks and green spaces dotted the area where one can run, hike, or bike. Scenic lakes and creeks are accessible for hosting outdoor activities.
Residents of Katy Southwest enjoy convenient access to dozens of retail shops and restaurants.
Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
With all the available information out there about all the suburbs in Houston, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which suburb to choose. Get the advice of the best realtor in Houston and remove the guesswork when shopping for the best suburb to live in.
- https://www.houston.org/living/
- *Default median housing price values are from single-family homes, except these neighborhoods (where condos, townhomes and single-family homes are considered due to the fact that there’s an above average of condos/townhomes in these market areas).
- We used the following assumptions for calculating monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) using data from http://www.mortgagecalculator.org:
- 20% down payment
- 3.05% 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 & https://mcad-tx.org)
- 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
- Annual home prices are based on HAR MLS reported sales for the prior year during January 1 and May 31. Starting on June 1, current year HAR MLS sales data is used.
- 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.
- For “can comfortably afford” salary assumptions, we used that 28% of gross income could be used toward monthly PITI costs because 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 (all revolving, installment, and mortgage liabilities). For this ratio 36% is normally used in planning and around 43% is around the maximum allowed.
- Reporters or news outlets, please contact [email protected] for an Excel export of every neighborhood’s associated data and calculations.
- Data is deemed accurate, but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only.
Best Realtors In The Suburbs
"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)
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.
Best Houston Real Estate Resources
- Houston Texas Zip Code Map | HoustonProperties
- An Ultimate Guide to the Best Active 55+ Communities in Houston
- How To Avoid Buying In Houston's Flooded Zones
- Candlelight Plaza Homes For Sale & Real Estate Trends
- The Houston Home Preventive Maintenance Checklist
