14 Best Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods | Real Estate Trends
The Inner Loop has seen tremendous real estate growth over the last ten years.
We reviewed 200,000+ Inner Loop Houston home sales since 2000 and ranked Inner Loop’s Best Neighborhoods in Real Estate Appreciation.
Common themes include:
- Inner Loop Neighborhoods with good appreciation rates also ranked well in:
- Salary requirements to live comfortably inside The Loop is <$75k. (See Salary Requirements To Own A Home In Houston’s Top Neighborhoods.)
- Top neighborhoods tend to be those within, or with good access to, Downtown Houston and The Medical Center, The Galleria and Energy Corridor. Collectively, these districts house over 600,000 jobs.
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10-Year Real Estate Appreciation of Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
DISCLAIMER: Real estate is local. The following data covers median sales price per square foot of single family homes. If you’re looking to buy or sell: Get a custom report for your home or request trends on the area where you’re looking to buy.
5-Year Real Estate Appreciation of Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
DISCLAIMER: Real estate is local. The following data covers median sales price per square foot of single family homes. If you’re looking to buy or sell: Get a custom report for your home or request trends on the area where you’re looking to buy.
Inner Loop Houston Real Estate Stats: Median Sales Price Per Square Foot
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Inner Loop Houston Real Estate Stats: Median Sales Price
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
14 Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods With The Best Real Estate Appreciation
Median sales price: $436,000
Median sales price / square foot: $239
5-year real estate appreciation: 24%
10-year real estate appreciation: 65%
Timbergrove is a quaint neighborhood that features rolling terrains, large lots and tree-lined winding streets.
The residential area lies west of the Houston Heights and along the wooded banks of White Oak Bayou.
Timbergrove homes for sale are mostly mid-century, one-story ranch-style brick homes. It is also among the approximately 60 Houston neighborhoods carrying the “Super Neighborhood” recognition.
Timbergrove is flanked by Katy Freeway, giving residents easy access to main Inner Loop hubs such as Memorial Park, Galleria, and Downtown Houston.
Median sales price: $320,450
Median sales price / square foot: $185
5-year real estate appreciation: 19%
10-year real estate appreciation: 34%
A re-emerging, mixed-use neighborhood directly south of Downtown, Midtown resides near Houston’s best retail, entertainment, business and employment hotspots.
One of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods, Midtown sits along major freeways (Gulf and Southwest) and near major roads (Main Street, Alabama Street, and Fannin Street). The Red Line runs through the neighborhood, providing easy METRORail access to key neighborhoods north and south of Midtown.
Midtown is also home to over 340 Yelp-rated establishments including top ranked restaurants, gyms, bars, diners, and shops. The Edge, Rise Lofts, Midtown Vistas, and 2016 Main are all located within the neighborhood. Building amenities often include rooftop decks with views of downtown’s skyline, swimming pools, fitness centers, and reserved parking for residents.
Median sales price: $400,000
Median sales price / square foot: $177
5-year real estate appreciation: 18%
10-year real estate appreciation: 35%
Cottage Grove is centrally located within the Inner Loop, near entertainment, dining, and retail hubs, as well as job centers and cultural hotspots.
Conveniently located along the Katy Freeway, the neighborhood is about 10 minutes away from the Galleria and Downtown Houston.
There are plenty of housing options in the neighborhood, ranging from vintage cottages and townhomes. Increased demand for Cottage Grove homes has sparked a surge of new development in the area.
Cottage Grove is one of Houston’s burgeoning neighborhoods. With new construction custom-built homes, townhomes in gated communities, and old single-family homes, homebuyers have a bevy of options.
Median sales price: $636,000
Median sales price / square foot: $261
5-year real estate appreciation: 28%
10-year real estate appreciation: 41%
Within a 1.5 mile radius, the Museum District includes 19 museums that offer educational, artistic, and scientific resources.
In addition, this area includes Rice University, Houston Zoo, Hermann Park Golf Course, three running trails, Miller Outdoor Theatre and MetroRAIL access to The Medical Center and Downtown Houston.
There are multiple property types throughout the area, and Museum District condos and townhomes are certainly a popular choice.
Much of the newer construction is architecturally inspired, allowing these Museum District homes to compliment the vibrant feel of the area.
Median sales price: $470,000
Median sales price / square foot: $230
5-year real estate appreciation: 8%
10-year real estate appreciation: 35%
One of the first “master-planned” communities in the city, Houston Heights is an exciting neighborhood of 3,700 homes located north of I-10 highway, south of Loop 610 and west of Highway 45.
Homes for sale in the Heights appreciated by 14% last year. Homes sold in 2004 have risen by more than half of its value in just 10 years.
Ranked #4 in CNN Money’s Top 10 Big City Neighborhoods, The Heights offers charm and a small-town feel; along with a fantastic collection of restaurants, coffee bars, antique shops, parks, and running trails.
The Hike & Bike Trail in the Heights recently opened with several new bridges. It connects the north side of Houston’s Inner loop with soon-to-be over hundred miles of city trails.
Braes Heights / Braeswood Place
Median sales price: $926,750
Median sales price / square foot: $262
5-year real estate appreciation: 15%
10-year real estate appreciation: 37%
Braeswood Place is an exclusive neighborhood with mostly luxury single-family homes. The neighborhood is surrounded by West University, Medical Center, Linkwood / Woodside, and Bellaire.
The neighborhood consists of 7 private subdivisions: Ayrshire, Braes Heights, Braes Oaks, Braes Manor, Braes Terrace, Emerald Forest, and Southern Oaks.
Braeswood had the 2nd highest 10-year appreciation rate within Inner Loop.
The neighborhood’s prime location, deed restrictions, and its gorgeous collection of new construction homes make it one of the most desirable communities in Houston.
Median sales price: $305,000
Median sales price / square foot: $179
5-year real estate appreciation: 20%
10-year real estate appreciation: 51%
EaDo is one of the Houston’s top up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Located adjacent to Downtown Houston (hence the name East Downtown), this area was a graveyard of abandoned supermarkets and restaurants until about 10 years ago.
East Downtown (EaDo) is a vibrant Houston neighborhood near the major business districts of Downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and the Houston Ship Channel.
EaDo is located north of Interstate 45, and between the George R. Brown Convention Center and the East End district.
EaDoHouston.com dubbed the neighborhood as the “Art & Soul of Houston.” Formerly referred to as “Houston Chinatown,” EaDo was filled with inexpensive land.
Over the past few years, this community has seen one of the largest investments in capital projects of any part of Houston.
EaDo benefits from the new BBVA Soccer stadium, MetroRail expansion, multiple new apartment and townhome complexes and an explosion of (highly rated) new restaurants and bars.
Median sales price: $761,072
Median sales price / square foot: $271
5-year real estate appreciation: 3%
10-year real estate appreciation: 14%
Located a few miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Upper Kirby is a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.
Much like its next door neighbor Montrose, Upper Kirby projects a bohemian flavor, with its mix of restaurants, townhomes, condos, single-family homes, boutiques, and bars.
Located near and along main roads, Upper Kirby is among the most accessible neighborhoods in Houston. Homes in the area have convenient access to the Buffalo Speedway, the Southwest Freeway, Westheimer Road, and Shepherd Drive.
Upper Kirby is nestled next to the Greenway Plaza, while the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Galleria are within a short drive from the neighborhood.
Median sales price: $238,035
Median sales price / square foot: $160
5-year real estate appreciation: -1%
10-year real estate appreciation: 14%
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world. The area also has one of the highest concentrations of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research.
Many of public schools within the Medical Center are ranked amongst the top in the state of Texas. Roberts Elementary, Poe Elementary, Pershing Middle and Lamar High School are among the highly rated public schools zoned to the neighborhood.
The area features a wide selection of homes including single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Fannin Station, one of Houston’s Best Gated Communities, is also located with the neighborhood. Several of Houston’s Newest Condo Buildings are coming up in the area too.
Living in the medical center affords a fantastic commute to anyone working in the complex. In addition, the Medical Center is a few minutes away from Downtown Houston. Other Loop 610 neighborhoods are conveniently accessible from the district, including Rice University, Museum District, and West University.
Median sales price: $444,500
Median sales price / square foot: $200
5-year real estate appreciation: 10%
10-year real estate appreciation: 33%
Located in the center of Houston’s Inner Loop, Rice Military is bordered by Westcott on the west, Shepherd/Durham on the east, Washington on the north, and Buffalo Bayou on the south.
The Rice Military neighborhood is “an area of transition”, meaning real estate is still affordable but projected to increase due to its location and community development.
The Rice Military neighborhood is a few minutes away from Houston’s main districts. Galleria and Downtown Houston are roughly 10 minutes away.
Rice Military residents are also a stone’s throw away from Memorial Park, one of the nation’s largest urban park with one of the largest trail systems anywhere in the city.
Median sales price: $1,279,500
Median sales price / square foot: $360
5-year real estate appreciation: 18%
10-year real estate appreciation: 33%
West University is the 5th most expensive neighborhood in Houston. Homes for sale in the area are mostly luxurious single-family homes with 3 or more bedrooms.
West University offers easy access to Downtown Houston, The Medical Center, The Galleria and the rest of main districts within Houston’s Inner Loop.
West U offers some of the best public schools in the State of Texas, a private police and fire department, and the Rice Village Shopping Center with over 300 establishments.
The entire area is also divided into 26 blocks or sections (some offering a fantastic small-town vibe), making it one of the most organized neighborhoods in Houston.
Median sales price: $1,050,000
Median sales price / square foot: $269
5-year real estate appreciation: 19%
10-year real estate appreciation: 34%
Known locally as the “City of Homes”, Bellaire TX is a Houston neighborhood of mostly luxury 3-bedroom single-family homes priced between $400,000 to $900,000.
The name “Bellaire” originated from “good air” or “good breeze”, attributed to the neighborhoods small-town, family-friendly community.
Bellaire is also neighbors with West University, Braeswood, and Linkwood.
Texas Medical Center, Galleria, and Museum District are approximately 10 minutes away from Bellaire.
Median sales price: $1,950,000
Median sales price / square foot: $464
5-year real estate appreciation: 31%
10-year real estate appreciation: 36%
As Houston’s most expensive neighborhood, River Oaks also has one of the best real estate appreciation rates within Inner Loop.
The grande dame of Houston’s luxury enclaves, River Oaks is a 1,100-acre neighborhood of mansions and estates found at the heart of Inner Loop Houston.
River Oaks lot prices started at $2,200 during the 1920s. Today, the most expensive River Oaks home for sale is a six-bedroom, 16,000-square-foot mansion priced at $15,995,000.
The entirety of River Oaks is a scenic view of towering trees that line streets, coupled with intricately detailed bushes that lead to pocket gardens.
Plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center and West Ave. complexes elevate the neighborhood’s quality of life.
Median sales price: $830,000
Median sales price / square foot: $311
5-year real estate appreciation: 29%
10-year real estate appreciation: 29%
Afton Oaks is also one of Houston’s 20 most expensive neighborhoods.
Afton Oaks is a subdivision of more than 400 renovated 1950s ranch-style homes and new construction townhomes.
Afton Oaks features a central Inner Loop location. Nestled at the corner where Southwest and West Loop freeways meet, Afton Oaks residents enjoy easy access to the city’s top cultural, commercial, and recreational facilities.
Oak trees line the streets of Afton Oaks, giving the homes great curb appeal thanks to over 50 years of active civic club involvement.
Data Sources & Disclaimers
Ranking based on 10- and 5-year real estate appreciation rates of Inner Loop Houston neighborhoods. Metrics used are median sales price and median sales price per square foot.
Data is provided by the Houston Association of Realtors, multiple listing service.
Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
*Default median housing price values are from single-family homes, except these areas (condos, townhomes and single-family homes are considered due to their above average # of condos / townhomes).
