Your Guide To The 20 Best Inner Loop Neighborhoods
Your Guide To The 20 Best Inner Loop Neighborhoods
From upscale River Oaks to trendy Montrose, here's a virtual tour of the best areas inside The Loop.
The Inner Loop has seen tremendous real estate growth over the last ten years. However, COVID-19 continues to leave a mark on how the market is trending.
We are also witnessing a very unique “tale of two cities” situation both locally and nationally. This stems from the financial trends and behavioral changes post-global lockdown.
To make sense of all these, we reviewed 200,000+ home sales since 2000 and ranked Inner Loop’s best neighborhoods in real estate appreciation.
Common themes include:
- Inner Loop areas with good appreciation rates also ranked well in:
- Salary requirements to live comfortably inside The Loop is <$80k. (See Salary Requirements To Own A Home In Houston’s Top Neighborhoods.)
- The top neighborhoods of the past decade 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.
Many of the most popular and exciting Inner Loop neighborhoods are also the best performers in real estate appreciation. Contact us for a custom list of inner loop Houston homes for sale.
Table of Contents
- By The Numbers: Best Neighborhoods Inside The Loop
- Inner Loop Neighborhoods: 10-Year Real Estate Appreciation
- Inner Loop: Median Sales Price Per Square Foot
- Inner Loop: Median Sales Price
- Expert’s Guide To The 20 Best Neighborhoods Inside The Loop
- Methodology For Ranking
- Best Inner Loop Realtors: The Houston Properties Team
By The Numbers: Best Neighborhoods Inside The Loop
We've included the summary real estate statistics for Houston's Best Inner Loop Neighborhoods. Please contact us for more data or an analysis of which areas may be best for you.
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Afton Oaks / Royden Oaks | $1,420,000 | $371 | 158% |
| 2. Bellaire | $961,940 | $250 | 28% |
| 3. Braeswood Place | $1,143,587 | $285 | 115% |
| 4. Briar Hollow* | $601,500 | $244 | 22% |
| 5. Cottage Grove | $430,000 | $188 | 47% |
| 6. Downtown Houston* | $252,000 | $222 | 21% |
| 7. EaDo* | $330,000 | $187 | 51% |
| 8. Houston Heights | $560,000 | $258 | 68% |
| 9. Greenway Plaza Area | $448,000 | $223 | 43% |
| 10. Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $506,767 | $245 | 75% |
| 11. Medical Center* | $257,500 | $157 | 22% |
| 12. Memorial Park | $1,335,000 | $374 | 28% |
| 13. Midtown* | $340,000 | $183 | 39% |
| 14. Montrose | $680,000 | $252 | 55% |
| 15. Rice Military | $476,000 | $203 | 24% |
| 16. Rice / Museum District | $650,000 | $252 | 35% |
| 17. River Oaks | $2,539,000 | $523 | 73% |
| 18. River Oaks Shopping Area | $719,900 | $239 | 52% |
| 19. Upper Kirby | $850,000 | $288 | 42% |
| 20. West University | $1,350,000 | $394 | 64% |
The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Inner Loop Neighborhoods: 10-Year Real Estate Appreciation
Houston real-estate is hyper local. Don't rely on raw averages. Contact us for a more meaningful analysis of how specific sub-sections are doing compares to the area's raw averages.
| Neighborhood | 10-Year Appreciation % |
|---|---|
| 1. Afton Oaks / Royden Oaks | 158% |
| 2. Bellaire | 28% |
| 3. Braeswood Place | 115% |
| 4. Briar Hollow* | 22% |
| 5. Cottage Grove | 47% |
| 6. Downtown Houston* | 21% |
| 7. EaDo* | 51% |
| 8. Houston Heights | 68% |
| 9. Greenway Plaza Area | 43% |
| 10. Timbergrove/Lazybrook | 75% |
| 11. Medical Center* | 22% |
| 12. Memorial Park | 28% |
| 13. Midtown* | 39% |
| 14. Montrose | 55% |
| 15. Rice Military | 24% |
| 16. Rice / Museum District | 35% |
| 17. River Oaks | 73% |
| 18. River Oaks Shopping Area | 52% |
| 19. Upper Kirby | 42% |
| 20. West University | 64% |
The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Inner Loop: Median Sales Price Per Square Foot
Buying or selling a home inside The Loop can be very tricky. With over $500M real estate sales, The Houston Properties Team is the #1 Boutique Real Estate Team in Houston.
| Neighborhood | Home Price / Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| 1. Afton Oaks / Royden Oaks | $371 |
| 2. Bellaire | $250 |
| 3. Braeswood Place | $285 |
| 4. Briar Hollow* | $244 |
| 5. Cottage Grove | $188 |
| 6. Downtown Houston* | $222 |
| 7. EaDo* | $187 |
| 8. Houston Heights | $258 |
| 9. Greenway Plaza Area | $223 |
| 10. Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $245 |
| 11. Medical Center* | $157 |
| 12. Memorial Park | $374 |
| 13. Midtown* | $183 |
| 14. Montrose | $252 |
| 15. Rice Military | $203 |
| 16. Rice / Museum District | $252 |
| 17. River Oaks | $523 |
| 18. River Oaks Shopping Area | $239 |
| 19. Upper Kirby | $288 |
| 20. West University | $394 |
The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Inner Loop: Median Sales Price
We analyzed 641,342 Houston home sales since 2000, zoned to 275 different public elementary, middle & high schools. Contact us for a custom list of homes zoned to specific top-ranked Houston schools.
| Neighborhood | Home Price / Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| 1. Afton Oaks / Royden Oaks | $1,420,000 |
| 2. Bellaire | $961,940 |
| 3. Braeswood Place | $1,143,587 |
| 4. Briar Hollow* | $601,500 |
| 5. Cottage Grove | $430,000 |
| 6. Downtown Houston* | $252,000 |
| 7. EaDo* | $330,000 |
| 8. Houston Heights | $560,000 |
| 9. Greenway Plaza Area | $448,000 |
| 10. Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $506,767 |
| 11. Medical Center* | $257,500 |
| 12. Memorial Park | $1,335,000 |
| 13. Midtown* | $340,000 |
| 14. Montrose | $680,000 |
| 15. Rice Military | $476,000 |
| 16. Rice / Museum District | $650,000 |
| 17. River Oaks | $2,539,000 |
| 18. River Oaks Shopping Area | $719,900 |
| 19. Upper Kirby | $850,000 |
| 20. West University | $1,350,000 |
The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Expert’s Guide To The 20 Best Neighborhoods Inside The Loop
Buying a home inside The Loop can be challenging. Contact us today for a custom list of properties zoned to top-ranked schools, close to major job centers, and with above-average lot sizes.
1. Afton Oaks
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afton Oaks / Royden Oaks | $1,420,000 | $371 | 158% |
Afton Oaks is an upscale deed-restricted community of more than 500 homes.
World-class retail, dining, and entertainment options are within minutes of Afton Oaks homes. The Galleria, an upscale shopping district with over 350 retail stores and establishments, is just a few blocks away from the downtown Houston neighborhood. Other options nearby include Uptown Park, Highland Village, and the River Oaks District.
Nestled between the Uptown area and the Greenway Plaza, Afton Oaks homes have great access to key Houston business districts. Uptown Houston boasts of more than 23 million square feet of office space and is home to 2,000 companies. The Greenway Plaza is a mixed-use development with 10 commercial buildings and more than 4 million square feet of retail and office space.
Afton Oaks real estate is among the most expensive neighborhoods in Houston. Its location, atmosphere, and accessibility continue to drive demand.
The Afton Oaks Civic Club is responsible for enforcing the neighborhood’s deed restrictions, maintaining common areas and handling services like additional security. Chartered in 1955, the civic club is responsible for preserving the neighborhood’s peaceful atmosphere.
Buying or selling a home in Afton Oaks can be challenging due to the neighborhood’s deed restrictions, older homes (some of which may need extensive remodeling), and proximity to railroad tracks and major freeways (both of which may affect resale values).
2. Bellaire
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellaire | $961,940 | $250 | 28% |
One of Houston’s most popular neighborhoods, Bellaire features a small-town vibe that mixes quite nicely with its easy access to big city comforts.
Bellaire is among the best neighborhoods in Southeast Houston in both Land Value Appreciation and Real Estate Appreciation.
According to Houston’s Best Public Schools, many of Bellaire’s public schools are ranked amongst the top in the state of Texas. It is, therefore, one of the best Houston neighborhoods for families with children.
Bordered by the cities of Houston and West University, Bellaire enjoys a central location and a good commute to: Texas Medical Center, Galleria, Downtown, and Energy Corridor.
Bellaire homes have convenient access to main roads and freeways, including Loop 610, Southwest Freeway, Bissonnet Street, and Bellaire Boulevard.
Largely residential, the city boasts of tree-lined streets, a good number of parks, and award-winning schools. Lot sizes in Bellaire vary widely, though its standard 75 feet by 130 feet lot parcels are noticeably more spacious than West University’s 50 by 120 foot lots.
Bellaire real estate can be tricky to navigate given the area’s different school zoning maps (land values in certain areas sell for more than others), proximity to railroad tracks (bad for resale), location on a major thoroughfare (bad for resale) and a diversity of builders (some are far superior to others).
3. Braeswood Place
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braeswood Place | $1,143,587 | $285 | 115% |
Nestled north of Loop 610, Braeswood Place is made up of around 2,200 homes and 7 subdivisions. The neighborhood is about 6 miles away from downtown Houston.
Braeswood is just a few minutes away from the Texas Medical Center, one of Houston’s major employment centers. The district features around 50 medical-related institutions, organizations, schools, and hospitals with more than 100,000 employees and volunteers. Other key business centers like Downtown, Greenway Plaza and the Uptown/Galleria area are also easily accessible from the community.
Surrounded by Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods, Braeswood Place features main streets and freeways nearby, including Loop 610, Stella Link Road, Main Street, Kirby Drive, and Buffalo Speedway. Braeswood Boulevard cuts through the neighborhood.
Braeswood Place homes are zoned to some of Houston’s Best Schools. Highly regarded schools like Bellaire High School, Lamar High School, Pershing Middle, and Twain Elementary. Twain, Longfellow, and Pershing are located within the neighborhood.
The neighborhood features a quiet small-town atmosphere just a stone’s throw away from Houston’s main districts. This is thanks in part to the neighborhood’s deed restrictions and the efforts of the Braeswood Place Homeowners Association (BPHA).
Braeswood Place features several parks and outdoor entertainment areas (McGovern Park, Karl Young Park, the Stella Link Park Community Service Corridor, and the Brays Bayou Hike and Bike Trail). Hermann Park, located just a short drive away, offers more options. Its situational location in Houston demographics places it at an advantage, being accessible to establishments that offer fun and recreational things to do in downtown Houston.
The neighborhood’s deed restrictions, older homes, and proximity to main roads and freeways can make Braeswood Place real estate tricky to navigate. Some of the area’s older properties may need extensive renovations, while homes near busy roads may have issues with noise (which can affect property values).
4. Briar Hollow
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briar Hollow | $601,500 | $244 | 22% |
Briar Hollow is a mix of gated communities, highrise condominiums, and world-class retail centers. Located south of Memorial Park and the Buffalo Bayou, the community is directly west of River Oaks.
The Wilshire and the Arabella, two new upscale highrise developments, are located within Briar Hollow. These luxury condos offer lavish amenities including 24-hour concierge and valet services, private elevators, private garages, fitness centers, and even areas for pets. Among these establishments are also several in the loop apartments.
Audubon Hollow, Eaton Square, and River Hollow are among the best gated communities in Houston. Apart from 24/7 security, these communities also offer central community park areas, beautiful patio homes and townhomes, and other luxury amenities.
The Galleria/Uptown District is one of Houston’s most vibrant retail and business districts. With over 23 million square feet of office space, it is home to around 2,000+ companies with 55,000+ employees. The Galleria area also features around 5,000,000 square feet of retail/leasable space.
Briar Hollow residents are minutes away from the city’s most exciting retail centers, including the Galleria, Uptown Park, and Post Oak Plaza. River Oaks District and Highland Village are blocks away from the neighborhood, offering a mix of upscale boutiques, high-end dining, and other retail options.
Located just south of Memorial Park and the Buffalo Bayou, residents have easy access to miles of hike and bike trails, the Memorial Park Golf Course, and the Seymour Lieberman Exertrail. Facilities for croquet, volleyball, skating, swimming, and tennis are also available within the park, along with playgrounds and picnic spots.
Despite all these benefits, Briar Hollow real estate can be tough to navigate due to the diversity of home types in the area (which can make pricing difficult), proximity to train tracks, as per the Houston elevation map, (which can affect property values), and proximity to freeways and main roads (you want to be near one, but not too near).
5. Cottage Grove
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | $430,000 | $188 | 47% |
Cottage Grove is located in Houston’s Inner Loop, just north of I-10. The neighborhood is #1 in our list of Best Houston Neighborhoods by Land Value Appreciation. Over the last seven years, new construction has transformed the area completely.
Its 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, giving Cottage Grove a place in the list of nicest neighborhoods in houston.
Cottage Grove is about 3 miles northwest of downtown Houston, less than 5 miles from the Medical Center and 3 miles from the Galleria. Business and employment centers are minutes away, as well as retail and entertainment hotspots.
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.
Memorial Park, Houston’s largest urban park, is mere 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.
Cottage Grove real estate is challenging to navigate thanks to train tracks (you don’t want to live too close to one), major thoroughfares (noise and street parking can be an issue – especially close to I-10), uneven development (no zoning laws and some blocks are still in development), school zoning (some areas are zoned to different schools). New construction can also present challenges, including quality issues from certain builders.
6. Downtown Houston
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Houston | $252,000 | $222 | 21% |
Located at the heart of Houston’s Inner Loop, Downtown is bordered by I-10 (North), 59 (East), and I-45 (South & West). While there are over 200,000 employees downtown, there are only about 6,000 residences (up from about 3,000 in 2014). Many people who live downtown also work there.
Getting around Downtown is easy, thanks to a network of skywalks and tunnels. The Medical Center, EaDo, and Museum District are also highly accessible via METRORail, bus system, Houston B-Cycle, and Greenlink. In addition, most Downtown Condos are near the METRORail.
In addition to the 400+ Yelp-rated dining and retail establishments, Houston is home to the second-largest theatre community in the US.
The majority of Downtown’s residential options are Historic Houston Lofts and Downtown Houston Condos which offer great “lock and leave” benefits.
Building amenities vary, though most condos under the Downtown Houston zip code offer rooftop terraces, conference rooms, fitness centers, and pools. Some feature 24-hour concierge and valet services.
The Downtown Houston real estate market can be tricky to navigate due to the fact that some buildings have very poor resale rates (due to either low-quality construction, HOA, parking or general design problems). In addition, specific units within many buildings have resale issues due to views, noise or individual parking spot problems. Contact Paige Martin, the Top Houston Realtor, for assistance if you’re looking to buy or sell downtown.
7. East Downtown / EaDo
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaDo | $330,000 | $187 | 51% |
EaDo is one of the top up-and-coming areas in the inner loop Houston neighborhood map.
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. Over the last few years, developers have invested over $250 million into EaDo. Notable developments include BBVA Stadium, MetroRail expansion, and new apartment and townhome complexes. In addition, EaDo resides about 200 feet away from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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 apartments, townhome complexes and an explosion of (highly rated) new restaurants and bars.
In the loop properties in EaDo can be tricky to navigate given the neighborhood’s new construction (some builders have very low quality and/or reliability scores), railroad tracks (you don’t want to live too close to one), amount of major thoroughfares (you don’t want to live on one)
8. Heights / Greater Heights
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Heights | $560,000 | $258 | 68% |
A popular historic district, The Heights is also one of the best neighborhoods for accessibility and real estate appreciation.
Houston Heights is ranked amongst the Most “Walkable” Houston Neighborhoods. The Heights has over 450 Yelp-rated establishments, many just a few blocks from residential communities.
The Heights is also one of the top communities in the state for “Fun Family Activities” with outdoor hotpots like Heights Hike and Bike Trail and White Oak Bayou Trail nearby.
The Heights offers an excellent commute to downtown, Houston inner loop neighborhoods, Medical Center, Galleria, and major Houston highways. The Height’s real estate market has been one of the best performing neighborhoods over the past one, five and ten-year periods.
Harvard Elementary (with a school zoning map covering parts of the Heights) is ranked as highly as elementary schools in premier neighborhoods like Memorial, Tanglewood, Bellaire and West University.
The Houston Heights Association (HHA) is one of the most active communities in Houston. They maintain historic sites, enforce deed restrictions, run the constable program and plan fabulous activities like the Lights in the Heights tours.
Navigating the Houston Heights real estate can be tricky with the deed restrictions, proximity to major thoroughfares (which can hurt resale), homes with choppy floor plans (which can hurt resale), and diversity of builders (some are far superior to others).
9. Greenway Plaza Area
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenway Plaza Area | $448,000 | $223 | 43% |
TOPIC ID 532 HAS NO AREA MAP
Resting on a 60-acre expanse of property, Greenway Plaza is located five miles southwest of Downtown Houston. A ten-building complex spread across a master-planned community, Greenway Plaza boasts of a central location and can be found near major thoroughfares, such as 1-59, Loop 610, and 1-10.
The unique style of Greenway Plaza’s campus combines a central “inside the Loop” location, efficient floor plans, professional management, and an unparalleled group of amenities. Greenway Plaza, Houston’s premier master-planned business development, offers an environment that is uniquely tailored to the needs of modern-day business.
The Greenway High Rise is comprised of two 30-story high towers each built right there on the same tract of land at Greenway Plaza. Adjacent to the building which was formerly The Summit/Compaq Center (now Lakewood Church), The Greenway is at one of Houston’s most central points.
Amenities at The Greenway include valet parking, doormen, optional in-house maid and porter services, a gated garage with plenty of parking, pools and conference rooms.
Management and maintenance are on-site, and a Resident Services Booth is open in each building 24 hours a day for your convenience.
TOPIC ID 532 HAS NO SPECIFIC MAP
10. Timbergrove / Lazybrook
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $506,767 | $245 | 75% |
Timbergrove is a quaint neighborhood that features rolling terrains, large lots and tree-lined winding streets. Located around 5 miles from downtown Houston, it is a deed-restricted residential neighborhood.
The residential area lies west of the Houston Heights and along the wooded banks of White Oak Bayou. Founded in 1960, the Lazybrook Civic Club is a volunteer-based group that handles the neighborhood’s security, beautification, maintenance, and events. The club also enforces the neighborhood’s deed restrictions and building restrictions under inner loop Houston zip codes.
Timbergrove homes for sale are mostly mid-century, one-story ranch-style brick homes. It is also among the 60 best neighborhoods in Houston Texas 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.
Lazybrook homes typically sit on mid- to large-sized lots (by Houston standards), with sizes ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 square feet. Mature trees and spacious front and back yards are common in the neighborhood.
Lazybrook real estate can be challenging to navigate due to several factors, including older homes (some may need extensive renovations), deed restrictions (which can be good or bad depending on your goals), and proximity to main roads and freeways (being too close to one can affect resale values).
Another major issue is that some areas in Lazybrook/Timbergrove are right on the flood plain. This can affect insurance costs, resale values, and of course, puts you and your property at risk in case of a flood.
11. Medical Center
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Center | $257,500 | $157 | 22% |
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.
According to Houston’s Best Public Schools, 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.
Medical Center’s real estate market has been one of the best performing suburban neighborhoods in Houston over the past one, five and ten-year periods.
The Medical Center features a wide selection of Inner Loop Houston homes for sale, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Fannin Station, one of Houston’s Best Gated Communities, is also located within 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.
Residents enjoy having easy access to the state’s largest medical complex. The Texas Medical Center area also has three METRORail Red Line stations, as well as direct access to three major freeways: South, Southwest, and Loop 610.
With the Museum District, NRG Stadium, and Hermann Park within minutes of the neighborhood, the Medical Center homes are minutes away from a wide variety of entertainment options.
Medical Center real estate is tricky to navigate given the neighborhood’s different school zoning maps, diversity of builders (some are far superior to others), and proximity to major thoroughfares (homes on certain streets sell at a discount).
12. Memorial Park
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Park | $1,335,000 | $374 | 28% |
Nestled south of I-10 and east of Loop 610, the Memorial Park area is one of the most popular neighborhoods within the Inner Loop.
Residents living near the park enjoy proximity to its many amenities and its unique “close to nature” vibe.
The 18-hole municipal golf course covers 300+ acres, and features a golf museum, a clubhouse, a lighted driving range, and putting and chipping greens. First opened in the 1920s, Memorial Park Golf Course today welcomes more than 60,000 visitors every year. The John Bredemus-designed course has a 73-course rating and a 122 slope rating.
Memorial Park residents have easy access to the park’s many sports facilities, including a croquet court and sand volleyball courts. The park’s various sports fields can be used for rugby, softball, baseball, and flag football. The Memorial Park Tennis Center features 18 hard courts, while the Memorial Park Fitness Center offers an indoor swimming pool and exercise equipment.
Memorial Park is known for its many trails, varying in size (from small paths to wider roads), surface (from paved to rougher sections), and degrees of difficulty (color-coded from easy to advanced). Mountain bikers, nature trekkers, joggers, and skaters frequent specific trails, including the popular Picnic Loop and the Seymour Lieberman Exertrail. Most Memorial Park neighborhoods have direct access to the park’s trails.
The Buffalo Bayou And Beyond initiative aims to connect Memorial Park and its vast trail system to several other parks along the bayou, including the newly renovated Buffalo Bayou Park and Trail. Upon completion, this “linear park system” will stretch 10 miles from Memorial Park to the Turning Basin.
Downtown Houston is about 4 miles away from Memorial Park. Residents have relatively easy commutes via main roads like Memorial Drive, Washington Avenue, I-10, Loop 610, and Allen Parkway. The Galleria, another major employment centers with 2,000+ companies, is less than 5 miles away.
13. Midtown
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown | $340,000 | $183 | 39% |
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.
Downtown Houston has more than 150,000 workers employed by 3,500+ businesses. Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with over 8 million patients and 100,000+ employees. Midtown residents can reach either with a 5-minute ride via MetroRail, Uber or a bike.
Midtown is home to over 340 Yelp-rated establishments including top-ranked restaurants, gyms, bars, diners, and shops.
Luxury loft living is a popular option within Midtown. 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. (Guide to All Houston Condos Along The MetroRail.)
Midtown is one of the most affordable areas of Houston’s Inner Loop. View the Salary Requirements to Live Comfortably In 52 Top Ranked Houston Neighborhoods.
Buying or selling a home in Midtown can be tricky. Be cautious of buying a midtown home that is too close to a freeway (hurts resale), is on a major thoroughfare (noise/street parking can be an issue), or is located in the “parking area” for one of the hip nightclubs. It’s also important to know there’s no zoning (some homes are built backing a bar/restaurant), and several new construction builders have been sued for quality concerns. Condos in Midtown can also present unique challenges, as some have lower resale values and quality concerns.
14. Montrose
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | $680,000 | $252 | 55% |
Known for its bohemian flavor, Montrose has a unique combination of 1920s mansions, modern townhomes, luxury condos, art museums, wine lounges, and hip restaurants.
Montrose is constantly referred to as “One of Houston’s Most Walkable Neighborhoods.” The neighborhood houses numerous top-ranked restaurants, boutique shops, dive bars, wine lounges, music bars, cafes and pubs. Other retail and entertainment hotspots (Rice Military, Galleria, and downtown) are all minutes away.
Home to art museums and festivals, Montrose is one of Houston’s cultural centers. The Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel (both from John and Dominique de Menil) feature many pieces from world-renowned artists like Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse.
Montrose is centrally located within The Loop and is minutes away from key districts like downtown, Medical Center, and Galleria.
One of the most accessible neighborhoods in Houston, Montrose homes have convenient access to main roads and freeways, including Richmond Avenue, Montrose Boulevard, Southwest Freeway, Shepherd Drive, Allen Parkway, and Westheimer Road, among others.
Students in the area may opt to attend some of the best schools in Greater Houston. Neighborhood schools include several International Baccalaureate World Schools, including Poe Elementary, Lanier Middle School, and Lamar High School. High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), a highly sought-after Fine Arts magnet school, is located in Montrose.
Montrose real estate can be tricky to navigate due to its uneven development (no zoning laws), wide variety of home types (some are difficult to value properly), and rising property values. In addition, certain blocks can be problematic as they back to bars (loud) and/or get a ton of street parking on certain days of the week. Also, some vintage homes in the area are within city-designated historic districts and are deed-restricted. Contact Paige Martin, the best Houston realtor in Montrose , for great recommendations and advice if you’re looking to sell or buy Montrose homes for sale.
15. Rice Military
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Military | $476,000 | $203 | 24% |
Nestled within Houston’s Inner Loop, Rice Military features a mixture of residential neighborhoods, gated communities, restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Rice Military is one of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods. The neighborhood is less than 15 minutes away from Downtown Houston and the Galleria, and about 5 miles from the Medical Center.
Rice Military is among the hottest neighborhoods in Houston, both in terms of Land Value Appreciation and Real Estate Appreciation. The shift during the 2000’s revitalized the neighborhood, breathing new life into the area’s real estate market.
Lamar High School and Hogg Middle School, both among the best schools in the Greater Houston area and IB World Schools, serve the Rice Military area.
The neighborhood features many beautiful homes and townhomes within gated communities. Caceres, one of Houston’s Best Gated Communities, is located within Rice Military.
Rice Military residents enjoy direct access to Memorial Park, one of Houston’s largest parks. Memorial Park is home to a wide range of outdoor activity areas and facilities, miles of multi-use trails, and a top-rated golf course.
additional security and organizes community events, among other things. The smaller neighborhoods and subdivisions that make up the Rice Military/Washington Avenue area (between Westcott and Sawyer) also have their own HOAs.
Buying or selling in Rice Military can be a challenge due to new construction (while some builders do have quality track records, others do not), railroad tracks (you don’t want to live too close to one), major thoroughfares (avoid being on or right next to one given the noise and bar parking), and proximity to freeways (which can hurt resale values).
16. Museum District
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice / Museum District | $650,000 | $252 | 35% |
Houston’s Museum District is 2nd in the country (only to Manhattan, NY) with the largest number of museums in a contiguous area.
Within a 1.5-mile radius, the Museum District includes 19 museums that offer educational, artistic, and scientific resources. A dozen of the member museums have free admission each day. True to its name, the Museum District is home to 19 culture, arts, and scientific institutions – the second largest number of museums in a contiguous area in the US. The district hosts 8+ million annual visitors. Key destinations include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Children’s Museum, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
The district also features 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.
The district is located between two of Houston’s major business and employment centers: downtown and the Medical Center. Other key districts like the Galleria and Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza are minutes away.
Much of the newer construction is architecturally-inspired, allowing these new homes for sale in Houston, located in the Museum District, to complement the vibrant feel of the area.
17. River Oaks
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks | $2,539,000 | $523 | 73% |
River Oaks Houston is one of the most exclusive, as well as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Texas. This year, it gained the prestige of being the most expensive neighborhood in Houston.
The grande dame of Houston’s luxury enclaves, River Oaks is a 1,100-acre enclave of mansions and estates found at the heart of Inner Loop Houston. This is the place to start if you’re looking for mansions for sale in Houston.
As one of the acclaimed upscale neighborhoods in Houston, it is north of the Upper Kirby District and is near many major thoroughfares such as Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive, and San Felipe Street.
Houston main districts Downtown, Galleria, and Medical Center are within 15 to 20 minutes from River Oaks.
Parts of River Oaks have acre-plus lots and deed restrictions to keep out commercial establishments. Other parts of River Oaks (notably on the South and Eastern sides) border the River Oaks Shopping Center and Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza, which are home to a fabulous collection of shops and restaurants.
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. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center and West Ave complexes. Thus, if you’re looking for mansions
18. River Oaks Shopping Area
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $719,900 | $239 | 52% |
River Oaks is Houston’s most expensive neighborhood and is located in the geographic center of Houston, making it one of the most accessible neighborhoods in the city.
The neighborhood is north of the Upper Kirby district and is near many major thoroughfares such as Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive, and San Felipe Street.
Parts of River Oaks have acre-plus lots and deed restrictions to keep out commercial establishments. Other parts of River Oaks (notably on the South and Eastern sides) border the River Oaks Shopping Center and Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza and are home to a fabulous collection of shops and restaurants.
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. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center and West Ave complexes. No wonder this is the richest neighborhood in Houston.
19. Upper Kirby
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Kirby | $850,000 | $288 | 42% |
Located a few miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Upper Kirby is home to many restaurants, offices, bars, townhomes, vintage homes and residential condo buildings.
Downtown is 3 miles away, Texas Medical Center is 2 miles away, Galleria is 2 and a half miles away). Downtown Houston has more than 150,000 workers employed by 3,500+ businesses. Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with over 8 million patients and 100,000+ employees.
The district features more than 150 Yelp-rated retail, dining, and entertainment establishments. Most are located along Kirby Drive, Shepherd Drive, and Westheimer Road. Residents can enjoy exciting new food spots, lounges with craft beer and wine, and shopping hubs, all within minutes away from their homes.
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.
Buying or selling a home in Upper Kirby can present some challenges. Homes near main roads and freeways may have noise or parking issues, especially near the district’s commercial areas. With no zoning laws in effect, some homes may be built backing a restaurant or bar that can get noisy on certain days. The district features some old and new properties, each with its own set of challenges – older homes may need to be updated, while new construction may have quality issues.
20. West University
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Home Price / Sq Ft | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| West University | $1,350,000 | $394 | 64% |
West University is consistently ranked as one of Houston’s best communities.
West University has its own police force, which boasts that they have “one of the best crime rates in all of Houston.” Residents can sign up for real-time text message alerts about any community issues.
With a median home price over $1M (and new construction constantly selling over $2M), West University also has one of the best five- and ten-year appreciation rates of any neighborhood in Houston.
West University offers an easy commute to Houston’s major job hubs — including Downtown Houston, The Medical Center, The Galleria, Greenway Plaza — and all major highways.
The neighborhood’s park system, baseball fields, recreation center, library, and Rice Village make West University one of Houston’s most accessible communities.
The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
*Default median sales values are from single-family homes except these neighborhoods, which have an above average # of condos and townhomes.
Methodology For Ranking
With all the available information out there about Houston's top Inner Loop areas, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which neighborhood to choose. Get the advice of the best Inner loop Houston realtors and remove the guesswork when shopping for the best home to live in.
A project of Paige Martin and The Houston Properties Team, the list of “20 Best Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods” is updated twice a year.
- Median home sale prices are based on single-family home sales for 2021 YTD.
- Median land value prices are based on both homes sold at lot value and lot sales.
- 10-year appreciation rates compare 2012 to 2021 YTD and are based on the median sales price.
- All median Houston home sale information was sourced by the HAR MLS database.
- Data is deemed accurate but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only.
- If you’d like to see any neighborhoods, master-planned communities or subdivisions added to this bi-annually updated watch list, please let us know.
- The list above is on alphabetical order. It also follows the order in which they appear on the Inner Loop Houston map.
- *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).
Best Inner Loop Realtors: The Houston Properties Team
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 $500,000,000 in Houston residential real estate sales.
Recent awards include:
- 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.
