Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods Ranked
The top 20 most expensive neighborhoods in Houston
Houston boasts some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country, many of which consistently make the top lists. To determine this year's most exclusive areas, we analyzed over 400,000 home sales in the past decade.
We noticed some interesting trends among the top luxury neighborhoods:
- Nearly all are zoned to Houston's Best Schools;
- Most close-in areas are also some of Houston's Most Accessible Neighborhoods;
- Most suburban areas are secured enclaves within Houston's Best Suburbs.
To learn more about these exclusive areas, including their land and real estate value appreciation, accessibility, and school zoning, contact Paige at [email protected].
The Houston Properties Team has helped 200+ public company officers and their families find their new home with unparalleled knowledge, discretion, and attention to detail.
Table of Contents
- Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 20)
- Close In & Inner Loop Houston Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 15)
- Suburban Houston Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 15)
- Methodology For Ranking Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods
- Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods: FAQs
Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 20)
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Hunters Creek | $3,800,000 | 104.3% |
| River Oaks Area | $3,207,500 | 66.3% |
| Southside Place | $3,010,000 | 93.4% |
| Memorial Villages | $2,804,482 | 78.1% |
| Bunker Hill | $2,700,000 | 22.1% |
| West University/Southside Area | $1,999,999 | 56.9% |
| Memorial Close In | $1,996,498 | 70.6% |
| Tanglewood Area | $1,950,000 | 32.5% |
| Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks | $1,912,500 | 118.6% |
| Frostwood | $1,815,000 | 98.1% |
| Southampton | $1,738,750 | 37.7% |
| Southgate | $1,720,000 | 100.7% |
| Spring Valley Village | $1,700,000 | 51.1% |
| Highland Village / Midlane | $1,454,678 | 55.6% |
| Briargrove | $1,433,500 | 80.3% |
| Rice / Museum District | $1,425,000 | 73.3% |
| Memorial Park | $1,394,000 | -8.6% |
| Braeswood Place | $1,375,000 | 34.5% |
| Parkway at Eldridge | $1,358,750 | 70.4% |
| Bellaire Area | $1,333,750 | 28.9% |
Hunters Creek
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Hunters Creek | $3,800,000 | 104.3% |
Hunters Creek is one of the most affluent and expensive neighborhoods in the state of Texas. The area is popular for its vintage ranch-style homes and sprawling estates.
Factors that make Hunters Creek a much-coveted choice:
EXCLUSIVITY: Hunters Creek makes it to the Forbes list of Houston's “Top Suburbs to Live Well”. Hunters Creek homes for sale have a median sales price of $3,800,000 (HAR MLS, updated monthly). (Read Income Needed To Buy A House in Houston’s Best Neighborhoods.)
PROXIMITY TO GALLERIA: Galleria and its hundreds of shops, bars, and restaurants are minutes away from Hunters Creek.
SPRAWLING HOMES & LOTS: The neighborhood features a half-acre lot on average. The area showcases long driveways, wide setbacks, generous lawns, and yards.
EXEMPLARY SCHOOLS: The village is zoned to some of the best public schools in Houston. Hunters Creek Elementary and Memorial High are National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Hunters Creek is within the prestigious Memorial Villages. Likewise, an active civic organization enforces deed restrictions in the area.
River Oaks Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| River Oaks Area | $3,207,500 | 66.3% |
One of Houston’s most exclusive neighborhoods, River Oaks is centrally located within the Inner Loop. Deed-restricted and historic, the area features some of the most expensive homes in Bayou City.
River Oaks is well-known for its:
UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD: The neighborhood is a mix of 1920s and 1930s traditional homes, grand estates, luxury condos, and townhomes in gated communities. River Oaks is one of the most expensive Houston neighborhoods.
TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: River Oaks homes are zoned to the Houston ISD. The area benefits from excellent schools, including River Oaks Elem and Lanier Middle. The community also has several premier private schools, such as St. John’s and River Oaks Baptist.
STRONG REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION: River Oaks is among the best Inner Loop neighborhoods in real estate appreciation. The neighborhood has posted impressive appreciation rates over the last 10 years.
PRIME LOCATION: River Oaks boasts an excellent location in Houston. The area provides easy access to Downtown, the Medical Center, and the Galleria. Major highways like Southwest Freeway, Loop 610, Katy Freeway, and I-45 surround the neighborhood.
River Oaks is home to the River Oaks Country Club Estates, one of Houston’s most affluent golf communities. The country club features a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fitness center.
Southside Place
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Southside Place | $3,010,000 | 93.4% |
Spanning ten blocks within the Inner Loop, Southside Place is an affluent independent city. It features some of the most expensive real estate in Houston.
Southside Place is popular due to its:
EXCLUSIVITY: Forbes featured Southside Place in its list of the “Most Expensive Suburbs Surrounding Major U.S. Cities.” The median sales price is upwards of $1,000,000. (See Income Needed To Live In Houston’s Top Neighborhoods).
INDEPENDENT CITY: The City of Southside Place operates a council-manager form of government. The city has its own police and fire departments.
PROXIMITY TO RETAIL HUBS: Southside Place has Braes Heights Shopping Center. It is a two-story Mid-Century modern mall along Bellaire Boulevard. It has a variety of stores and restaurants. Rice Village, a 16-block shopping district, is also nearby.
Southside Place homes posted great real estate and land value appreciation (with West U) in the past decade. Recent construction luxury homes and vintage bungalows in the neighborhood have price tags comparable to homes in nearby West U, Southampton Place, and Boulevard Oaks.
Close In & Inner Loop Houston Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 15)
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Hunters Creek | $3,800,000 | 104.3% |
| River Oaks Area | $3,207,500 | 66.3% |
| Southside Place | $3,010,000 | 93.4% |
| Memorial Villages | $2,804,482 | 78.1% |
| Bunker Hill | $2,700,000 | 22.1% |
| West University/Southside Area | $1,999,999 | 56.9% |
| Memorial Close In | $1,996,498 | 70.6% |
| Tanglewood Area | $1,950,000 | 32.5% |
| Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks | $1,912,500 | 118.6% |
| Frostwood | $1,815,000 | 98.1% |
| Southampton | $1,738,750 | 37.7% |
| Southgate | $1,720,000 | 100.7% |
| Spring Valley Village | $1,700,000 | 51.1% |
| Highland Village / Midlane | $1,454,678 | 55.6% |
| Briargrove | $1,433,500 | 80.3% |
Suburban Houston Most Expensive Neighborhoods (Top 15)
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Parkway at Eldridge | $1,358,750 | 70.4% |
| Benders Landing | $1,307,500 | 110.3% |
| *The Woodlands: East Shore | $1,073,000 | 7.4% |
| Lakes of Fairhaven | $1,007,500 | 78.0% |
| Grand Harbor | $897,000 | 105.0% |
| The Woodlands: Creekside Park | $845,000 | 83.9% |
| Grand Lake Estates | $805,815 | 78.7% |
| *Memorial West | $799,500 | 61.0% |
| The Woodlands: Sterling Ridge | $765,000 | 77.9% |
| Lake Pointe | $736,000 | 24.4% |
| The Forest Of Friendswood | $711,250 | 62.7% |
| Riverstone | $701,500 | 54.9% |
| Telfair | $693,750 | 46.8% |
| Weston Lakes | $693,500 | 54.1% |
| Tiki Island | $690,000 | 43.8% |
Parkway at Eldridge
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Parkway at Eldridge | $1,358,750 | 70.4% |
The Parkway at Eldridge is an upscale gated community in the Energy Corridor, home to some of the best luxury communities in Houston.
The Parkway at Eldridge is well-known for its:
RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES: The Parkway at Eldridge residents can enjoy a community swimming pool, tennis courts, and a neighborhood park. These amenities are on par with those found in other master-planned communities in Houston.
NOTABLE SCHOOLS: The neighborhood is zoned to some highly-rated schools in Houston ISD. Ray Daily Elementary and West Briar Middle serve the community. The Village School, an exemplary private school, is around one mile away.
EXCELLENT LOCATION: The community is easily accessible from major highways. It is bordered by Interstate 10, Highway 6, Beltway 8, and Westheimer Road.
The Parkway at Eldridge is among Houston’s best gated communities outside the beltway. The neighborhood features custom luxury homes designed by Vincent Kickerillo.
Benders Landing
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| Benders Landing | $1,307,500 | 110.3% |
Benders Landing is a master-planned community about 30 minutes north of Downtown Houston. It features home sites by the lake and in the woods. This acreage community features a lot with at least one acre each.
Benders Landing is famous for its:
ACCESSIBILITY: Its location is minutes from The Woodlands. It offers easy access to shops, dining, and entertainment options. George Bush Airport is nearby via Hardy Toll Road and I-45. Plus, a short drive to ExxonMobil Campus.
GREAT COMMUNITY AMENITIES: Benders Landings has parks and a pavilion. Liberty Park has a basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, a gazebo, and a mile-long lake.
CUSTOM HOMES: Homes in Benders Landing feature unique architectural styles. Residents can customize homes on lots of one acre or more.
Municipal Utility District (MUD) taxes are no longer collected in Benders Landing. The neighborhood has quality deed restrictions to check and regulate development.
The Woodlands: East Shore
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Sales Price 10 Yr % |
|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands: East Shore | $1,073,000 | 7.4% |
Known as the “Garden District,” East Shore is a neighborhood tucked between Lake Woodlands and The Woodlands Town Center.
East Shore residents enjoy:
UPSCALE COMMUNITY: The East Shore is one of the Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Houston. It is made up of gated sections with waterfront homes, brownstone townhomes, and patio homes.
RETAIL AND DINING OPTIONS: East Shore homes are just a short drive away from an array of shops and restaurants. Market Street, The Woodlands Malls, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion are less than two miles away from the community.
GREAT AMENITIES: Located within the community, the East Shore Clubhouse has a resort-style pool, an outdoor kitchen, and a fitness center. Residents also have direct access to the Lake Woodlands.
LUSH LANDSCAPES: The neighborhood offers the opportunity for outdoor activities. Green spaces and pocket parks surround the community, with over ten parks nearby.
Homes in East Shore are zoned to Conroe ISD. Residents can enroll in top-ranked schools like Lamar Elementary and Knox Junior High. The Woodlands Montessori and the John Cooper School are notable private schools in the area.
Methodology For Ranking Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods
- The Houston Properties Team regularly reviews the richest neighborhoods in Houston, most expensive neighborhoods in Houston, and Houston's top luxury neighborhoods.
- Our data is updated monthly.
- Median home sale prices are based on single-family home sales, except for neighborhoods with a * where townhome and single family homes data is included. Townhomes are included in these communities because they make up a material percentage of the community sales.
- Median land value prices are based on both homes sold at lot value and lot sales.
- To qualify for this list, the neighborhood must have at least 15 home sales in the last year.
- 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 updated Houston's Richest Neighborhoods list, please let us know.
Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods: FAQs
What is the most expensive neighborhood in Houston?
Hunters Creek, at a median home price of $3,800,000. River Oaks Area is second at $3,200,000 and Southside Place is third at $3,010,000. Prices come from the HAR MLS database and are updated monthly. The full ranking is in the table above.
What is the richest part of Houston?
By home price, the highest band sits west and southwest of downtown: Hunters Creek, Memorial Villages, River Oaks, West University, Southside Place and Tanglewood. Each of those has a median home price above $1,900,000.
What is the most expensive Houston suburb?
Parkway at Eldridge, at a median of $1,358,750, then Benders Landing at $1,325,000 and Lakes of Fairhaven at $1,038,750. Suburban neighborhoods are ranked in their own table above because suburban and inner loop prices move differently.
Is Bellaire an expensive part of Houston?
Yes. The Bellaire Area has a median home price of $1,335,000, which puts it 20th on this list. It is up 29.0% over ten years, slower growth than most of the top 20.
Is The Woodlands expensive?
Parts of it. The Woodlands: East Shore has a median home price of $1,030,000 and Creekside Park is $858,071. Those are the two Woodlands villages that reach this list. The other villages price below them.
Which Houston neighborhoods have gained the most value?
Over ten years: Benders Landing up 113.1%, Southgate up 109.9%, Grand Harbor up 109.1% and Hunters Creek up 104.3%. Price level and growth rate are different questions, and the table above shows both.
How is this list built?
Median sale prices for single-family homes from the HAR MLS database, updated monthly. A neighborhood needs at least 15 sales in the past year to qualify. Neighborhoods marked with a * include townhome sales, because townhomes are a material share of sales there. The full method is in the section above.
Who is this list for?
Buyers and sellers of Houston homes above $500,000 who plan to live in them and are deciding in the next 6 to 18 months. If that is you, call the Houston Properties Team at 713-425-4194 or start with Houston homes for sale.
Who is this list not for?
We do not handle leases or rentals, and we do not take investor portfolio work. If that is what you need, tell us and we will point you to someone who does.
Who do I call about buying or selling in one of these neighborhoods?
Paige Martin and the Houston Properties Team. Call 713-425-4194. Agents who want to join the team can read careers.
Best Houston Real Estate Resources
- Houston Texas Zip Code Map | HoustonProperties
- Houston Properties Team: Hire a Houston Realtor to Buy a Home
- Houston Home Sellers Guide | Essential Tips To Sell Your Home Fast For The Most Money
- Aaron Dailey – Sell Your Near West End Home for More
- Brad Evans – Sell Your Bear Creek South Home for More
