How Much Salary Do You Need To Buy A Home In Houston's Top Neighborhoods
Find the best places to live in Houston for your budget.
Forbes, Money Magazine, and the US Census Bureau, all list Houston as one of the most affordable cities in the country (1).
The cost of living in Houston ranks second lowest among the top 20 most populous US metros. Based on the cost of living data, it's 36% cheaper to live here than in the 20 biggest cities in the country (2).
We analyzed median home prices & estimated salary requirements for the 52 best neighborhoods in the Houston area to help you decide where you can best afford to live.
We have great lenders. Contact Paige Martin at [email protected] for great mortgage banking recommendations. Paige Martin is ranked as the #1 Keller Williams Realtor in Houston and #5 Keller Williams Realtor in the United States.
Table of Contents
- Houston Home Salary Requirements Highlights & Data
- Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
- Under $80,000: Where can I Afford to Live in Houston?
- $80,000 to $150,000: Best Neighborhoods
- $150,000 to $250,000: Cost of Luxury Homes
- Over $250,000: Most Expensive Areas
- Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
- The Best Houston Realtor to Sell Your Home
Houston Home Salary Requirements Highlights & Data
“Paige Martin is Houston's best Realtor. She is highly experienced and very knowledgeable. She made our buying experience an enjoyable one, not only for us, but for our daughter, son-in-law and several of our friends. We have bought and sold many houses, and Paige has been the best realtor we have ever worked with. We highly recommend her and The Houston Properties Team.” Jeremy & Lynn Greene
Highlights
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As reflected in the data below, homebuyers are spending more in monthly payments than they would two years ago on a similar property.
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Homeowners who benefited from lower mortgage rates are less motivated to move (and sell).
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The new mortgage rates have impacted the real estate market. The data below shows the home price range in Houston's top neighborhoods with today's mortgage rate.
As always, real estate is hyper-local. See how your neighborhood and the home affordability are doing.
Data Summary
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The neighborhoods we selected came from our lists of:
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Our estimates of Houston home salary requirements used a 20% down payment. However, some lenders have special 0% or 5% down loans. Contact me for a list of recommended mortgage providers and who to avoid.
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Houston median home prices below include only single-family homes unless otherwise stated. Methods and calculations for the salary needed to live comfortably in Houston are listed at the bottom of this article (1).
Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
If you’d like to see any specific single-family homes, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected]
Note: We're only displaying the first ten neighborhoods per section here. For the full list, please refer to the tables under each respective salary range below.
Under $80,000: Where can I Afford to Live in Houston?
"The Houston Properties Team was absolutely amazing. I had initially listed with a different realtor that was recommended by a neighbor with very poor results. It was even more difficult because I was no longer in Houston and the trust I had put in the other agent was definitely taken advantage of. However, when I found Kim with the Houston Properties Team, all that changed. I was informed throughout the process and when she promised something would be done, it was. Before the experience with her, I swore off ever even considering purchasing a home again. She restored my faith in the real estate world." – Jeanette (Google Review)
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Sharpstown Area | $225,000 | $79,000 | 25% |
Pasadena | $240,000 | $77,000 | 26% |
Aldine Area | $238,272 | $77,000 | 49% |
Bacliff/San Leon | $240,000 | $76,000 | N/A |
Hobby Area | $240,000 | $76,000 | 45% |
Medical Center South | $239,900 | $76,000 | 45% |
La Marque | $235,000 | $75,000 | 54% |
Northeast Houston | $232,300 | $74,000 | 54% |
Willis/New Waverly | $247,500 | $74,000 | 13% |
Winrock | $170,000 | $73,000 | -9% |
South Houston | $210,500 | $67,000 | 23% |
Hempstead | $210,000 | $66,000 | -24% |
Sharpstown Area
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Sharpstown Area | $225,000 | $79,000 | 25% |
Developed in the 1950s, Sharpstown is one of the most historic master-planned neighborhoods in Houston. The community lies between Houston Parkway and Westpark Tollway.
Sharpstown’s appeal includes:
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TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: The Houston Independent School District (HISD) serves the community. The district has some of the best schools in Houston, including Sutton Elementary, McNamara Elementary, and Sugar Grove Academy.
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EXCELLENT LOCATION: Sharpstown is close to major roads and highways. All key Houston districts like Downtown and Texas Medical Center are 15 minutes away from the neighborhood. NRG Stadium and The Galleria are also nearby.
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VARIETY OF HOMES: Sharpstown has a variety of housing options. This ranges from post-war bungalows to traditional and ranch-style homes. There are also apartment complexes that stand along tree-lined streets. A typical Sharpstown real-estate averages 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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SEVERAL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: The neighborhood has several parks and a community center. Its community center features pools, a golf course, and tennis and basketball courts to name a few. Arthur Storey Park and Harwin Park are close to the area.
Sharpstown area has approximately 7000 homes. The neighborhood has many subdivisions. These are Sections 1–5, Country Club Estates 1-3, and Country Club Terraces 1-3.
Pasadena
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Pasadena | $240,000 | $77,000 | 26% |
Located southeast of downtown Houston, Pasadena is the second largest city in Harris County. Covering a 44.5 square mile area south of the Houston Ship Channel, the city is made up of several neighborhoods.
Pasadena is known for its:
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GREEN SPACES: Pasadena has over 40 parks. Burke Crenshaw Park, spanning approximately 80 acres, has sports fields, playgrounds, trails, and picnic areas.
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INDUSTRIAL HUB: Pasadena hosts businesses mainly connected to the 1,700-acre NASA Johnson Space Center. These industries include petroleum and gas, maritime shipping, aerospace, and healthcare.
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EXCELLENT SCHOOLS: Many homes in the area are zoned to the best schools in Houston. These schools include Moore Elementary, Bonnette Jr High, and Deer Park High.
Pasadena is around 20 minutes away from the Armand Bayou Center, one of the country’s largest urban wilderness preserves. Visitors can explore walking trails, engage in bird-watching, and participate in educational programs.
Aldine Area
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Aldine Area | $238,272 | $77,000 | 49% |
Nestled just north of Houston, Aldine spans 7.92 square miles and is home to several communities.
The Aldine area is very popular due to its:
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EXCELLENT ACCESSIBILITY: Aldine offers convenient access to major highways such as I-45, Beltway 8, and Hardy Toll Road. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 10 minutes away from the neighborhood.
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RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT: Century Plaza Shopping Center, Imperial Valley Shopping Center, and West Road Plaza are minutes away.
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TOP-RATED SCHOOLS: Aldine Independent School District is home to some of Houston's best schools, including the multi-awarded Stephens Elementary School.
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PARKS AND GOLF COURSES: The area boasts more than 10 parks and playgrounds, like Keith-Wiess Park, Tom Wussow Park, and Buckboard Park. Residents can also enjoy nearby golf courses, including Lochinvar Golf Club and Melrose Golf Course.
The Aldine real estate market has had impressive appreciation rates over the last decade. Homes in the area come in varied styles, including traditional, modern, ranch, and Spanish styles.
$80,000 to $150,000: Best Neighborhoods
Many of Houston’s most popular neighborhoods are also, historically, the best performers in real estate appreciation. Contact us for a custom list of homes in these areas.
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Humble Area East | $250,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
Humble Area West | $250,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
Alief | $255,000 | $81,000 | 42% |
Conroe Northeast | $262,000 | $81,000 | 55% |
Five Corners | $255,000 | $81,000 | 46% |
Willowbrook South | $255,000 | $82,000 | 50% |
Northside | $255,000 | $82,000 | 27% |
1960/Cypress Creek South | $254,000 | $83,000 | 60% |
Medical Center Area | $212,500 | $83,000 | -21% |
Huffman Area | $269,995 | $84,000 | -12% |
Spring East | $255,000 | $84,000 | 52% |
Humble Area South | $259,000 | $85,000 | 37% |
Stafford Area | $270,000 | $85,000 | 45% |
Southbelt / Ellington | $267,900 | $86,000 | 52% |
Dickinson | $269,450 | $86,000 | 39% |
Spring Northeast | $259,000 | $86,000 | 60% |
Crosby Area | $267,340 | $88,000 | 43% |
Alvin South | $274,995 | $90,000 | 57% |
Brays Oaks | $290,000 | $91,000 | 20% |
Deer Park | $280,000 | $91,000 | N/A |
Fort Bend South / Richmond | $275,000 | $92,000 | 40% |
Bear Creek South | $281,500 | $92,000 | 66% |
La Porte/Shoreacres | $285,000 | $92,000 | 55% |
Conroe Southeast | $279,000 | $92,000 | 35% |
Mission Bend Area | $291,111 | $92,000 | 74% |
1960/Cypress | $295,000 | $93,000 | 63% |
Brookshire | $285,950 | $94,000 | 18% |
Atascocita North | $291,400 | $94,000 | 55% |
Northwest Houston | $299,250 | $95,000 | 69% |
1960/Cypress Creek North | $305,000 | $96,000 | 74% |
Sugar Land North | $315,000 | $96,000 | 31% |
Kingwood West | $305,000 | $97,000 | 66% |
Katy North | $300,700 | $97,000 | 71% |
Porter / New Caney East | $280,000 | $98,000 | 14% |
Missouri City Area | $305,000 | $99,000 | 39% |
Atascocita South | $305,000 | $99,000 | 49% |
Santa Fe | $319,532 | $101,000 | 55% |
Waller | $336,000 | $103,000 | 24% |
Porter / New Caney West | $300,995 | $104,000 | 19% |
Spring/Klein | $325,000 | $104,000 | 42% |
Magnolia/1488 West | $309,990 | $105,000 | 17% |
Lake Conroe Area | $333,085 | $105,000 | 28% |
Hockley | $296,195 | $105,000 | 31% |
Copperfield Area | $330,000 | $106,000 | 67% |
Denver Harbor | $332,500 | $106,000 | 41% |
Conroe Southwest | $325,000 | $106,000 | 32% |
Eldridge North | $336,500 | $107,000 | 22% |
Kingwood NW/Oakhurst | $325,000 | $109,000 | 27% |
Champions Area | $342,000 | $109,000 | 45% |
Spring/Klein/Tomball | $335,000 | $109,000 | 64% |
Magnolia/1488 East | $365,500 | $110,000 | 42% |
Willow Meadows Area | $358,000 | $110,000 | 21% |
Jersey Village | $347,500 | $111,000 | 58% |
University Area | $350,000 | $112,000 | 34% |
Galleria | $302,500 | $112,000 | -8% |
Clear Lake Area | $355,000 | $113,000 | 65% |
Oak Forest West | $375,000 | $116,000 | 66% |
Kingwood South | $375,000 | $118,000 | 74% |
East End Revitalized | $355,575 | $119,000 | 27% |
Pearland | $365,000 | $119,000 | 61% |
Kingwood East | $375,000 | $120,000 | 33% |
Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde | $367,595 | $123,000 | 44% |
Riverside | $397,500 | $123,000 | 13% |
Summerwood / Lakeshore | $350,000 | $123,000 | 32% |
Sugar Land East | $410,000 | $126,000 | 42% |
Tomball | $381,830 | $126,000 | 60% |
Tomball South/Lakewood | $390,000 | $128,000 | 65% |
Katy Old Towne | $363,990 | $128,000 | 50% |
Downtown Houston | $292,500 | $128,000 | 12% |
Shepherd Park Plaza Area | $419,900 | $129,000 | 4% |
Katy Southeast | $415,000 | $131,000 | 48% |
Sienna Area | $389,500 | $134,000 | 14% |
Fort Bend County North / Richmond | $409,385 | $135,000 | 71% |
Energy Corridor | $430,000 | $135,000 | 33% |
Friendswood | $436,500 | $135,000 | 58% |
Midtown Houston | $370,000 | $138,000 | 15% |
Alvin North | $389,990 | $138,000 | 77% |
Cypress North | $420,000 | $141,000 | 65% |
Spring Branch | $439,000 | $141,000 | 51% |
Fulshear/South Brookshire | $420,000 | $144,000 | 3% |
League City | $438,500 | $146,000 | 60% |
Meyerland Area | $475,000 | $147,000 | 13% |
Cypress South | $428,135 | $150,000 | 52% |
Humble Area East
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Humble Area East | $250,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
Located just outside of Beltway 8, Humble Area East is an independent city and is considered one of the best suburbs in Houston.
Humble is a popular option because of its:
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HIGH ACCESSIBILITY: Humble Area East is conveniently located near major highways, including US-59 and Beltway 8, providing easy access to downtown Houston and other surrounding areas.
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VIBRANT RETAIL AND DINING: Residents enjoy easy access to a wide range of retail and dining options. Deerbrook Mall is located nearby and offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences.
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BEAUTIFUL PARKS: The area is home to several parks, including Lindsay/Lyons Park and Schott Park. These parks typically feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and multi-use trails.
Humble Area East offers an array of options, including single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family properties. Single-family homes sit on spacious lots ranging from 10,000 sq. ft. to over 40,000 sq. ft.
Humble Area West
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Humble Area West | $250,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
Nestled west of I-69, Humble Area West is made up of smaller communities near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Humble Area West residents enjoy:
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GREAT COMMUTE: Humble Area West is conveniently located near major highways like I-69 and Beltway 8. Commuting to Downtown takes less than 30 minutes.
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RECREATIONAL SPOTS: Humble Area West has several parks, including Schott Park and Lindsay/Lyons Park. Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center is just a short drive away.
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RETAIL AND DINING: Residents of Humble Area West have access to a wide variety of shopping and dining options. Deerbrook Mall features over 130 stores and a lineup of the most popular anchor stores.
Humble Area West features a great mix of residential communities, commercial areas, and green spaces. Golf courses, job centers, and parks are highly accessible from the area.
Alief
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Alief | $255,000 | $81,000 | 42% |
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.
$150,000 to $250,000: Cost of Luxury Homes
Buying or selling a home within the best neighborhoods in Houston can be very tricky. With over $1B real estate sales, the Houston Properties Team is the #1 Boutique Real Estate Team in Houston. Contact us for a custom Houston cost of living calculator, and we can review your options.
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Sugar Land West | $475,000 | $152,000 | 53% |
Charnwood/Briarbend | $448,000 | $153,000 | 28% |
Oak Forest East | $499,900 | $154,000 | 51% |
Tomball Southwest | $443,291 | $154,000 | 22% |
Knollwood/Woodside | $502,500 | $160,000 | 14% |
Katy Southwest | $475,000 | $160,000 | 41% |
Rosharon | $531,000 | $162,000 | N/A |
Cottage Grove | $510,000 | $163,000 | 30% |
Fort Bend Southeast | $500,000 | $169,000 | 57% |
Washington East/Sabine | $532,500 | $169,000 | 30% |
The Woodlands | $563,000 | $173,000 | 55% |
Rice Military/Washington Corridor | $562,500 | $177,000 | 21% |
Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $577,267 | $181,000 | 43% |
Briargrove Park/Walnutbend | $602,500 | $187,000 | 58% |
Sugar Land South | $623,837 | $194,000 | 40% |
Memorial West | $595,000 | $194,000 | 12% |
Greenway Plaza | $545,000 | $208,000 | 3% |
Heights/Greater Heights | $680,575 | $213,000 | 52% |
Garden Oaks | $726,250 | $223,000 | 82% |
Briar Hollow | $585,500 | $228,000 | 4% |
Montrose | $735,000 | $231,000 | 20% |
Tiki Island | $785,000 | $248,000 | 100% |
Sugar Land West
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Sugar Land West | $475,000 | $152,000 | 53% |
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.
Charnwood/Briarbend
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Charnwood/Briarbend | $448,000 | $153,000 | 28% |
Charnwood is in a tranquil setting nestled within the Western Houston area. An affluent neighborhood with solid real estate appreciation.
Charnwood features:
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CENTRAL LOCATION: Charnwood is near Houston's leading business and retail centers, like the Galleria, the Memorial area, and the Inner Loop. Loop 610 freeway, San Felipe Street, Memorial Drive, and Westheimer Road are easily accessible.
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ELEGANT VICINITY: Charnwood homes are on expansive wooded lots with parks, country clubs, shopping centers, and restaurants, along with the Buffalo Bayou lacing. The neighborhood has recently updated 1950s vintage homes with a newer Ranch-style home.
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SMALL-TOWN VIBE: Charnwood is a deed-restricted community to maintain its overall look and small-town feel. The active civic association in the neighborhood helps enforce the deed restrictions.
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STRONG HOUSING MARKET: Due to the reputable neighborhoods' continued popularity, Charnwood real estate has remained strong in the last few years. It has been included in the list of Houston's top 25 most expensive areas.
Charnwood lot sizes range from 13,000 up to more than 15,000 square feet. Like most of Houston's affluent neighborhoods, deed restrictions are implemented in Charnwood to maintain the community's overall look and atmosphere.
Oak Forest East
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Oak Forest East | $499,900 | $154,000 | 51% |
Located about 10 miles from downtown Houston, Oak Forest East is one of Houston’s best neighborhoods in land value appreciation.
Oak Forest East is known for its:
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IDEAL LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY: Oak Forest East is located just minutes from downtown Houston and the Galleria. Major roads and freeways are highly accessible from the neighborhood, including Loop 610, US 290, Ella Blvd, and TC Jester Blvd.
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NOTABLE SCHOOLS: Oak Forest Elementary is one of the best schools in the city and in the State of Texas.
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LARGE LOTS: Oak Forest East is known for its spacious lots ranging from 6,000 to over 17,000 sq. ft.
One of Houston’s older neighborhoods, Oak Forest features a mix of older ranch-style homes from the 1950s and 1960s and newer custom-built homes. The neighborhood also has an HOA that enforces deed restrictions.
Over $250,000: Most Expensive Areas
Whether you buy or sell first depends on the current market and your unique situation. Both options come with an element of risk. Our experience taught us to make the proper assessment out of the overall scenario every homeowner is in. Contact us to help you make the most viable decision.
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Westchase Area | $805,000 | $265,000 | 14% |
Briargrove | $917,500 | $286,000 | 17% |
River Oaks Shopping Area | $949,000 | $294,000 | 29% |
Rice / Museum District | $1,050,000 | $327,000 | 39% |
Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks | $1,098,000 | $340,000 | 38% |
Upper Kirby | $1,100,000 | $343,000 | 32% |
Highland Village / Midlane | $1,150,000 | $355,000 | 60% |
Bellaire Area | $1,160,000 | $358,000 | 25% |
Braeswood Place | $1,325,000 | $407,000 | 76% |
West University/Southside Area | $1,720,000 | $517,000 | 49% |
Memorial Close In | $1,732,500 | $550,000 | -21% |
Memorial Villages | $1,831,150 | $561,000 | 18% |
Memorial Park | $1,801,000 | $566,000 | 41% |
Tanglewood Area | $2,000,000 | $619,000 | 14% |
River Oaks Area | $2,699,000 | $836,000 | 42% |
Rivercrest | $3,100,000 | $969,000 | 18% |
Westchase Area
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Westchase Area | $805,000 | $265,000 | 14% |
Located southeast of the Energy Corridor, Westchase covers over 4 square miles of land.
Westchase area is well-known due to its:
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ACCESSIBILITY: Residents have access to several major thoroughfares, including State Highway 6, Beltway 8, and Westheimer Road, offering short commutes to key districts like the Galleria and Downtown.
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PROXIMITY TO ENERGY CORRIDOR: The Energy Corridor is one of the largest employment centers in Houston. Several energy companies have offices in the area.
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OUTDOOR RECREATION OPTIONS: Royal Oaks Country Club is one of Houston's best golf course communities. In addition, residents enjoy Woodchase Park which features a dog park, a water misting feature, and a multi-purpose pavilion.
The Westchase area offers an array of housing options spanning from single-family homes to townhomes, ranging from $300,000 to over $3,000,000.
Briargrove
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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Briargrove | $917,500 | $286,000 | 17% |
Briargrove is a deed-restricted community located about 2 miles west of the Galleria and east of Memorial.
Briargrove is a popular option due to its:
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EXCELLENT ACCESSIBILITY: Residents have easy access to major districts such as the Galleria, Downtown, and the Energy Corridor via Westheimer Road, Loop 610, and I-69.
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NOTABLE SCHOOLS: Homes in the area are zoned to Briargrove Elementary School and Tanglewood Middle School. Both are IB World Schools.
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TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY: Briargrove's HOA enforces deed restrictions while the architectural committee maintains the neighborhood's appearance.
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SPACIOUS LOTS: Briargrove homes typically sit on large lots, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000+ sq. ft. Wooded grounds and well-kept front/back yards are common in the area.
Established in the 1950s, Briargrove is made up of around 900 homes. While the neighborhood is known for its traditional one-story houses on large lots, it also features updated homes and newer custom-built properties.
River Oaks Shopping Area
Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
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River Oaks Shopping Area | $949,000 | $294,000 | 29% |
River Oaks Shopping Area is nestled between River Oaks and Montrose. Rice Military borders the north side, while Upper Kirby is on the southwest of the neighborhood.
The district is highly in demand thanks to its:
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EXCELLENT LOCATION: River Oaks Shopping Area boasts an excellent location within the Inner Loop and provides easy access to Downtown, Galleria, and the Medical Center. Along with the Highland Village, boutiques and restaurants in Westheimer and San Felipe are minutes away.
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SHOPPING, DINING, AND ENTERTAINMENT: The area is home to the River Oaks Shopping Center which has 100+ retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The River Oaks Theater, Houston's premier art house cinema, is within the shopping center.
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TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: The neighborhood is zoned to top-ranked schools such as Lanier Middle and Lamar High School. Both are IB World Schools.
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PARKS & RECREATION: The neighborhood is a few minutes away from River Oaks Park. Memorial Park, one of Houston's largest urban parks, is just a short drive away. The park features a golf course, tennis courts, trails, and picnic areas.
River Oaks Shopping Area is near major thoroughfares, including Katy Freeway (I-10), Loop 610, and Southwest Freeway (US 59).
Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
With all the available information out there about Houston's top areas, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which neighborhood to choose. Get the advice of the best Houston Realtors and remove the guesswork when looking for one of the best homes in Houston to live in.
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*Default median housing price values are from single-family homes. Neighborhoods with * are exceptions. Condos, townhomes, and single family homes are considered. This is due to the above-average number of condos/townhomes in these market areas.
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We used the following assumptions for calculating monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) using data from https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/:
- 20% down payment
- 6.43% interest rate with a 30-year mortgage with no PMI
- The neighborhood tax rate, per HAR MLS data, per area
- A 20% average Texas Homestead discount (per HCAD.org, fbcad.org & mcad-tx.org)
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The neighborhood median HOA fee if applicable. This mostly applies to * communities where condos or townhomes are included like Downtown Houston.
- 0.5% annual insurance costs
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Annual home prices are based on HAR MLS reported sales for the prior year between January 1 and May 31. Starting on June 1, the current year HAR MLS sales data is used.
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For annual appreciation or depreciation salary requirement rates, we did not make any modifications based on the most recent tax reform act. We assumed taxes rates were constant in our calculations between monthly PITI costs and salary requirements.
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For “can comfortably afford” salary assumptions, we used that 28% of gross income could be used toward monthly PITI costs. Financial planners often say that 25-33% of income can be used toward monthly PITI payments. For qualification purposes, underwriters typically defer to their “back end” ratio which includes liabilities on credit reports. These include all revolving, installment, and mortgage liabilities. For this ratio, 36% is normally used in planning and around 43% is the maximum allowed.
- Reporters or news outlets, please contact Paige@HoustonProperties.com for an Excel export of every neighborhood’s associated data and calculations.
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Data is deemed accurate but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only.
The Best Houston Realtor to Sell Your Home
The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
Paige Martin, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, and the Houston Properties Team are ranked amongst the top residential Realtors in the world.
They have been featured on TV and in dozens of publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Reuters, Fox News in the Morning, Money Magazine, Houston Business Journal, Houstonia, and Houston Chronicle.
Paige Martin was just ranked as the #5 agent in the world with Keller Williams, and has completed over $1,000,000,000 in Houston residential real estate sales.
Recent awards include:
- 2021: America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents
- 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2021: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
- 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2021: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
- 2020: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
- 2020: #6 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2020: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas (Top Keller Williams Realtor)
- 2020: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
- 2019: Top Residential Realtors in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2019: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2019: #5 Individual Agent, KW Worldwide
- 2019: #1 Individual Agent, KW Texas
- 2018: #5 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2018: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2018: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2018: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2017: #10 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2017: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2017: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2017: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2016: #20 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2016: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2016: Five Star Realtor, Featured in Texas Monthly
- 2016: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: #9 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, United States
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2015: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2015: Five Star Realtor, Texas Monthly Magazine
- 2014: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2014: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams Memorial
. . . in addition to over 318 additional awards.
Paige also serves a variety of non-profits, civic and community boards and was appointed by Houston’s Mayor to be on the downtown TIRZ board.
Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team
Our Team, composed of distinguished and competent Houston luxury Realtors, has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member.
We find team approach as the most effective way to sell homes. We have dedicated people doing staging, marketing, social media, open houses and showings. Each Houston Properties Team member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.
The benefits of working with a team include:
- ability to be in two or three places at one time: a member can handle showings, while another answer calls
- collective time and experience of members
- targeted advise and marketing of agent expert in your area
- competitive advantage by simply having more resources, ideas, and more perspectives
- a “Checks and Balances” system. Selling and buying a home in Houston is an intensely complex process
- more people addressing field calls and questions from buyers and agents to facilitate a faster successful sale
- efficient multi-tasking: One agent takes care of inspections and/or repair work, while another agent is focused on administrative details
- multiple marketing channels using members’ networks
- constant attention: guaranteed focus on your home and your transaction
- lower risk for mistakes. Multiple moving parts increase oversights. A team approach handles these “parts” separately
- flexibility in negotiation and marketing
- better management of document flow
- increased foot traffic through more timely and effective showing schedule coordination; and
- increased Sphere of Influence and exposure to more potential buyers.
To meet all the award-winning members of The Houston Properties Team, please go here.
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