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 third lowest among the top 20 most populous US metros. Based on the cost of living data, it's 29.2% 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
As reflected in the data below, homebuyers are spending more in monthly payments than they would two years ago on a similar property given increased prices.
Homeowners who benefited from lower mortgage rates are less motivated to move (and sell).
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
The neighborhoods we selected came from our lists of:
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.
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 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willowbrook South | $264,050 | $80,000 | 55% |
| Humble Area South | $255,000 | $79,000 | 45% |
| Spring East | $250,000 | $78,000 | 45% |
| Sharpstown Area | $257,000 | $76,000 | 32% |
| Northside | $247,450 | $76,000 | 5% |
| Humble Area West | $245,000 | $75,000 | 41% |
| Humble Area East | $245,000 | $75,000 | 41% |
| Alief | $249,000 | $75,000 | 35% |
| Medical Center South | $240,250 | $73,000 | 43% |
| Aldine Area | $234,990 | $72,000 | 48% |
| Pasadena | $237,000 | $72,000 | 26% |
| La Marque | $238,000 | $72,000 | 28% |
| Bacliff/San Leon | $239,900 | $71,000 | N/A |
| Hobby Area | $235,000 | $70,000 | 46% |
| Northeast Houston | $230,000 | $68,000 | 38% |
| Hempstead | $230,735 | $68,000 | -5% |
| South Houston | $210,000 | $64,000 | 47% |
| Willis/New Waverly | $215,000 | $61,000 | 4% |
Willowbrook South
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willowbrook South | $264,050 | $80,000 | 55% |
Located within Northwest Houston, lots of shopping centers line Willowbrook South. Places like the Willowbrook Mall feature a wide array of shops and restaurants.
Willowbrook South remains popular thanks to its:
SUPERB LOCATION: Several big companies are found in Willowbrook South. It is a short commute to known commercial establishments like Downtown Houston and Energy Corridor.
EASY ACCESSIBILITY: Moreover, the town's close to the Beltway 8 and Highway 249 intersection. As a result, anyone from Willowbrook South has quick access to the rest of the city and its environs.
TOP-RANKING SCHOOLS: It is zoned by the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, a school district known for its top-ranking schools. Cook Middle School which has a 7/10 rating from Greatschools.org, is around the area.
The presence of recreational facilities and parks adds to the appeal of Willowbrook South. George Bush Park, Bear Creek Pioneers Park, and Cy-Champ Park are some of the green spaces in the area.
Humble Area South
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humble Area South | $255,000 | $79,000 | 45% |
Humble Area South offers a great mix of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. It is part of the larger Humble Area in the northeast of Downtown Houston.
Humble Area South is known for its:
PROXIMITY TO LAKE HOUSTON: Humble Area South is a 20-minute drive from Lake Houston. Its residents can enjoy different activities in and around the lake. These activities include swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and skiing.
OUTDOOR RECREATION: The Golf Club of Houston is near the area. This place offers courses open to the public. It also has some exclusive to its members. Other parks like Schott Park and Rosewood Memorial are accessible to the neighborhood.
ACCESSIBILITY: Humble Area South has easy access to big roads to reach different parts of the city and nearby areas. Major highways like Interstate 69 (US Highway 59) and Beltway 8 are easy to use from Humble Area South.
Residents of the neighborhood can also enjoy an array of shopping centers, restaurants, and malls.
Spring East
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring East | $250,000 | $78,000 | 45% |
Spring East is located about 24 miles north of Downtown Houston. The community sits south of Spring Creek and a few miles south of The Woodlands.
Spring East is sought-after for its:
PROXIMITY TO MAJOR EMPLOYERS: Residents of Spring East enjoy an easy commute to work. Major employers such as ExxonMobil, LORD, HP, and Chevron are highly accessible.
AWARD-WINNING GOLF CLUB: Golf Digest awarded Cypresswood Golf Club as Best New Course. This 36-hole course hosts PGA Tour School and Championship, the Shell Houston Open Qualifier, and Futures Tour Events.
LEISURE & ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES: Spring East offers a variety of options for indoor and outdoor activities. The area features expansive green spaces for outdoor activities. Indoor activities include air trampolines, indoor rock climbing, and paintball.
CENTRAL LOCATION: Spring East is some miles outside of Beltway 8, nestled west of I-45 and north of FM 1960. A mix of well-known establishments and trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes surrounds the area.
Spring East offers a variety of options for single-family homes. Ranch-style and newly constructed houses are typically available.
$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 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960/Cypress Creek South | $259,990 | $81,000 | 54% |
| Five Corners | $267,500 | $81,000 | 62% |
| Southbelt / Ellington | $265,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
| Northwest Houston | $275,000 | $82,000 | 51% |
| Bear Creek South | $270,000 | $82,000 | 54% |
| La Porte/Shoreacres | $270,000 | $82,000 | 53% |
| Conroe Northeast | $260,099 | $83,000 | 45% |
| Stafford Area | $285,000 | $84,000 | 59% |
| Winrock | $217,500 | $84,000 | 0% |
| Mission Bend Area | $290,000 | $85,000 | 60% |
| Huffman Area | $283,990 | $85,000 | 2% |
| Deer Park | $280,000 | $86,000 | 40% |
| 1960/Cypress | $288,250 | $86,000 | 53% |
| Crosby Area | $264,925 | $87,000 | 43% |
| Missouri City Area | $290,000 | $87,000 | 40% |
| Atascocita North | $294,400 | $89,000 | 44% |
| Katy North | $299,000 | $90,000 | 58% |
| Conroe Southeast | $286,000 | $90,000 | 39% |
| Denver Harbor | $295,000 | $90,000 | 2% |
| Kingwood West | $299,450 | $91,000 | 50% |
| 1960/Cypress Creek North | $307,000 | $91,000 | 65% |
| Waller | $280,000 | $91,000 | 21% |
| Porter / New Caney West | $273,995 | $91,000 | 28% |
| Porter / New Caney East | $279,000 | $91,000 | 7% |
| Alvin South | $299,500 | $92,000 | 66% |
| Brays Oaks | $313,500 | $93,000 | 28% |
| Sugar Land North | $327,000 | $94,000 | 33% |
| Atascocita South | $305,000 | $94,000 | 45% |
| Conroe Southwest | $305,000 | $95,000 | 16% |
| University Area | $309,000 | $96,000 | 18% |
| Dickinson | $320,681 | $98,000 | 64% |
| Hockley | $300,000 | $99,000 | 38% |
| Copperfield Area | $328,000 | $99,000 | 56% |
| Kingwood NW/Oakhurst | $300,000 | $99,000 | 16% |
| Brookshire | $295,900 | $100,000 | 47% |
| Spring/Klein | $330,000 | $100,000 | 46% |
| Lake Conroe Area | $339,995 | $102,000 | 37% |
| Medical Center Area | $300,000 | $102,000 | 30% |
| Magnolia/1488 West | $324,232 | $104,000 | 8% |
| Santa Fe | $346,996 | $104,000 | 57% |
| Jersey Village | $350,000 | $105,000 | 52% |
| Champions Area | $350,000 | $105,000 | 45% |
| Rosharon | $377,320 | $106,000 | N/A |
| Kingwood South | $354,000 | $106,000 | 50% |
| Magnolia/1488 East | $347,500 | $106,000 | 16% |
| Spring/Klein/Tomball | $350,000 | $107,000 | 59% |
| Clear Lake Area | $355,000 | $107,000 | 48% |
| Galleria | $299,000 | $108,000 | 3% |
| Oak Forest West | $375,000 | $109,000 | 50% |
| East End Revitalized | $350,000 | $109,000 | 16% |
| Willow Meadows Area | $374,500 | $110,000 | 20% |
| Fort Bend South / Richmond | $353,245 | $112,000 | 66% |
| Downtown Houston | $255,000 | $112,000 | 3% |
| Midtown Houston | $361,000 | $114,000 | 12% |
| League City | $385,000 | $114,000 | 56% |
| Cypress North | $380,000 | $115,000 | 61% |
| Katy Old Towne | $343,740 | $115,000 | 29% |
| Pearland | $380,000 | $116,000 | 48% |
| Riverside | $398,000 | $120,000 | 19% |
| Eldridge North | $402,500 | $120,000 | 75% |
| Tomball | $392,995 | $123,000 | 48% |
| Summerwood / Lakeshore | $381,500 | $124,000 | 38% |
| Tomball South/Lakewood | $406,375 | $126,000 | 55% |
| Spring Northeast | $406,990 | $126,000 | 64% |
| Fulshear/South Brookshire | $389,900 | $126,000 | 0% |
| Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde | $430,000 | $128,000 | 47% |
| Katy Southeast | $435,750 | $129,000 | 52% |
| Fort Bend County North / Richmond | $410,000 | $129,000 | 58% |
| Kingwood East | $435,000 | $131,000 | 45% |
| Alvin North | $394,000 | $131,000 | 65% |
| Spring Branch | $440,275 | $134,000 | 31% |
| Friendswood | $466,500 | $135,000 | 77% |
| Shepherd Park Plaza Area | $449,900 | $135,000 | 4% |
| Sugar Land East | $472,000 | $137,000 | 54% |
| Energy Corridor | $463,750 | $138,000 | 38% |
| Sienna Area | $425,895 | $138,000 | 20% |
| Oak Forest East | $494,000 | $144,000 | 44% |
| Meyerland Area | $495,000 | $145,000 | 24% |
| Cypress South | $440,000 | $146,000 | 50% |
| Sugar Land West | $480,000 | $147,000 | 50% |
| Tomball Southwest | $459,328 | $150,000 | 30% |
1960/Cypress Creek South
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960/Cypress Creek South | $259,990 | $81,000 | 54% |
1960/Cypress Creek South is a vibrant master-planned community and home to excellent amenities. Downtown, Galleria, and Energy Corridor are a few minutes away.
1960/Cypress Creek South is popular for its:
MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES: 1960/Cypress Creek South boasts a variety of subdivisions. The neighborhood offers housing options that cater to different lifestyles and budgets.
BEST GOLF COURSES: The neighborhood is close to some of the best golf courses in Houston. The nearby Cypress Creek Golf Course is comparable to the best golf course communities in Houston. These provide great opportunities for golfing and leisure.
RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS: Willowbrook Mall and North Golden Sun Plaza are nearby. This allows residents easy access to retail, entertainment, and dining options.
GREAT COMMUTE: Residents enjoy easy access to major roads. 1960/Cypress Creek South is near Beltway 8 and I-45. This ensures efficient travel throughout Houston.
1960/Cypress Creek South offers a balanced lifestyle in Houston's heart. This lets residents enjoy a well-rounded way of life.
Five Corners
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five Corners | $267,500 | $81,000 | 62% |
Located just south of the Medical Center Area, Five Corners is a large neighborhood just inside Beltway 8.
The area is popular for its:
ACCESSIBILITY: Five Corners homes are minutes away from several main roads and freeways, including Beltway 8, Highway 288, Loop 610, Fort Bend Pkwy, and US 90 Alt.
PROXIMITY TO JOB CENTERS: The Downtown, Medical Center, and Galleria area highly accessible from Five Corners.
GREAT APPRECIATION RATES: One of Houston's Best Close-In Neighborhoods, Five Corners real estate has posted impressive appreciation rates over the past decade.
Five Corners homes come in a wide variety of architectural styles, including traditional, modern, colonial, and English styles. Price points are similar to neighboring Brays Oaks, starting at around $120,000.
Southbelt / Ellington
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southbelt / Ellington | $265,000 | $81,000 | 47% |
Southbelt / Ellington is a historic neighborhood near Downtown Houston. It is also near various business and entertainment centers.
Southbelt / Ellington is popular due to its:
TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: Southbelt / Ellington is zoned to the Clear Creek Independent School District. It is home to some of the top schools in Houston. This includes North Pointe Elementary, Clear Lake Intermediate, and Westbrook Intermediate.
ACCESSIBILITY: Residents living in this neighborhood can enjoy easy access to some of the major hotspots in Houston. Interstate 45, Beltway 8, and Texas State Highway 3 run along Southbelt.
NEARBY BUSINESS CENTERS: This community is also near major business centers. Some of the top employers near the area are NuGen Automation and Midwest Steel Co., Inc.
Southbelt / Ellington is also home to many parks and trails. Southbelt Hike & Bike Trail and Clear Brook City Park are some of its notable parks.
$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 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charnwood/Briarbend | $509,500 | $151,000 | 28% |
| Cottage Grove | $528,750 | $160,000 | 34% |
| Rice Military/Washington Corridor | $535,000 | $160,000 | 18% |
| Katy Southwest | $522,200 | $161,000 | 55% |
| Knollwood/Woodside | $559,500 | $165,000 | 26% |
| Washington East/Sabine | $568,000 | $169,000 | 38% |
| Fort Bend Southeast | $605,000 | $176,000 | 90% |
| Sugar Land South | $632,500 | $184,000 | 43% |
| Briargrove Park/Walnutbend | $650,000 | $191,000 | 40% |
| The Woodlands | $640,000 | $191,000 | 83% |
| Greenway Plaza | $570,000 | $197,000 | 22% |
| Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $667,900 | $202,000 | 55% |
| Heights/Greater Heights | $690,000 | $205,000 | 48% |
| Memorial West | $745,000 | $225,000 | 43% |
| Montrose | $802,500 | $238,000 | 28% |
| Garden Oaks | $836,499 | $243,000 | 80% |
| Tiki Island | $845,000 | $250,000 | 94% |
Charnwood/Briarbend
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charnwood/Briarbend | $509,500 | $151,000 | 28% |
Charnwood is in a tranquil setting nestled within the Western Houston area. An affluent neighborhood with solid real estate appreciation.
Charnwood features:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cottage Grove
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | $528,750 | $160,000 | 34% |
Located just south of The Heights, Cottage Grove is one of the Best Houston Neighborhoods in Land Value Appreciation. This neighborhood offers exclusive gated communities, top schools, and multiple outdoor activity hubs.
Cottage Grove is popular thanks to its:
LUXURY COMMUNITIES: The neighborhood’s 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.
TOP SCHOOLS: 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.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HUBS: Memorial Park, Houston’s largest urban park, is 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.
Rice Military/Washington Corridor
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Military/Washington Corridor | $535,000 | $160,000 | 18% |
Rice Military is located within the Inner Loop of Houston. The community features a mix of gated communities, residential neighborhoods, and excellent amenities.
The Rice Military is famous for its:
ACCESSIBILITY: Rice Military is one of the Most Accessible Neighborhoods in Houston. The community is 5 miles away from the Medical Center and less than 15 minutes short drive away from Downtown Houston and the Galleria.
NOTABLE SCHOOLS: Rice Military is served by two of Houston's Best Schools, both of which are IB World Schools. Top-performing schools like Hogg Middle School and Lamar High School serve the community.
UPSCALE GATED COMMUNITIES: Several gated communities comprise the Rice Military neighborhood. Caceres is one of Houston's Best Gated Communities.
EXCITING RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT: With proximity to Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive, the residents enjoy easy access to nearby restaurants, dining spaces, retail centers, lounges, cafes, and bars.
The neighborhood also features a wide range of housing options and architectural designs, from single-family homes to patio homes, and new-construction townhomes. Homes showcase traditional and modern styles. There are also condos in mid-rise residential buildings in the area.
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 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $851,850 | $252,000 | 29% |
| Westchase Area | $835,000 | $257,000 | 37% |
| Briar Hollow | $815,000 | $285,000 | 75% |
| Upper Kirby | $995,000 | $294,000 | 17% |
| Rice / Museum District | $1,194,500 | $348,000 | 40% |
| Braeswood Place | $1,235,000 | $360,000 | 49% |
| Bellaire Area | $1,265,000 | $370,000 | 27% |
| Highland Village / Midlane | $1,330,000 | $388,000 | 78% |
| Briargrove | $1,350,000 | $396,000 | 61% |
| Memorial Park | $1,400,000 | $422,000 | 22% |
| Tanglewood Area | $1,660,000 | $490,000 | 0% |
| Royden Oaks/Afton Oaks | $1,750,000 | $511,000 | 102% |
| West University/Southside Area | $1,850,000 | $529,000 | 47% |
| Memorial Villages | $2,458,575 | $705,000 | 75% |
| Memorial Close In | $2,514,000 | $754,000 | 1% |
| River Oaks Area | $3,062,500 | $897,000 | 39% |
| Rivercrest | $6,400,000 | $1,888,000 | 122% |
River Oaks Shopping Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $851,850 | $252,000 | 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:
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.
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.
TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: The neighborhood is zoned to top-ranked schools such as Lanier Middle and Lamar High School. Both are IB World Schools.
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).
Westchase Area
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westchase Area | $835,000 | $257,000 | 37% |
Located southeast of the Energy Corridor, Westchase covers over 4 square miles of land.
Westchase area is well-known due to its:
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.
PROXIMITY TO ENERGY CORRIDOR: The Energy Corridor is one of the largest employment centers in Houston. Several energy companies have offices in the area.
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.
Briar Hollow
| Area | Median Home Price | Salary Required* | 10 Year % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briar Hollow | $815,000 | $285,000 | 75% |
Located south of Buffalo Bayou and Memorial Park, Briar Hollow is home to numerous upscale gated communities, luxury high-rise condominiums, and world-class retail centers. The neighborhood is nestled between the Galleria and River Oaks, one of Houston’s most expensive neighborhoods.
The community is known for its:
PROXIMITY TO GALLERIA: Briar Hollow provides quick access to the Galleria, one of the city’s most vibrant retail and business districts. The area is home to over 23 million square feet of office space and around 5 million square feet of retail spots.
HIGHLAND VILLAGE & RIVER OAKS DISTRICT: The neighborhood is located near the River Oaks District and Highland Village, which offer a mix of premier boutiques and high-end dining. Other exciting retail centers nearby are Uptown Park and Post Oak Plaza.
MEMORIAL PARK: Residents can enjoy miles of hike and bike trails, the Memorial Park Golf Course, and the Seymour Lieberman Exer-trail. The 1500-acre Memorial park has croquet, volleyball, skating, swimming, and tennis facilities, along with playgrounds and picnic spots.
The Wilshire and the Arabella are two new upscale high-rise developments with lavish amenities located within Briar Hollow. Audubon Hollow, Eaton Square, and River Hollow are among the best-gated communities in Houston.
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.
Houston.org
*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.
We used the following assumptions for calculating monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) using data from https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/:
- 20% down payment
- 6.69% 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)
The neighborhood median HOA fee if applicable. This mostly applies to * communities where condos or townhomes are included like Downtown Houston.
- 0.5% annual insurance costs
Annual home prices are based on HAR MLS reported sales for the prior year between January 1 and May 31. Starting on June 1, the current year HAR MLS sales data is used.
For annual appreciation or depreciation salary requirement rates, we did not make any modifications based on the most recent tax reform act. We assumed taxes rates were constant in our calculations between monthly PITI costs and salary requirements.
For “can comfortably afford” salary assumptions, we used that 28% of gross income could be used toward monthly PITI costs. 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 [email protected] for an Excel export of every neighborhood’s associated data and calculations.
Data is deemed accurate but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only.
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.
