How Much Salary You Need To Buy A Home In Houston’s Top Neighborhoods
How Much Salary You Need To Buy A Home In Houston's Top Neighborhoods
Find out where you can afford to live in Houston.
According to Forbes, Money Magazine, and the US Census Bureau, Houston is one of the most affordable major cities in the United States(1).
Cost of living in Houston ranks second lowest among the nation’s top 20 most populous US metropolitan areas(2).
To help you answer the question “where can I afford to live in Houston?”, we analyzed median home prices for 52 top neighborhoods and estimated salary requirements to live in each.
2020 Summary
- COVID-19 and subsequent government actions had an impact on the average American household’s finances and purchasing power.
- See why the 2020 housing market saw a boom during a year of human misery.
- Appreciation was generally offset by the record-low interest rates.
- There were some definite winners and losers.
2020 Highlights
- The areas where it is now cheaper to buy a house were neighborhoods that have flooding history.
- We’re also seeing tremendous growth on well-established suburban areas zoned to top ranked schools including:
— Katy
— Fulshear
— The Woodlands
— Pearland
— Spring
— Sugar Land
Since COVID-19, (in many cases thanks to HGTV) home buyers have been gravitating toward newer homes with home offices and more space for entertainment.
– See more details on the COVID impact on Houston.
As always, real estate is hyper local. See how your neighborhood is 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 what (who) to avoid.
— Houston median home prices below include only single family homes unless otherwise stated. Specific methodology and calculations are listed at the bottom of this article.
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
- Summary: Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
- Under $80,000: Best Neighborhoods
- $80,000 To $150,000: Where Can I Afford To Live?
- $150,000 To $250,000: Cost Of Luxury Homes
- Over $250,000: Most Expensive Areas
- Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
- Top Ranked Realtors: Paige Martin & The Houston Properties Team
Summary: Annual Salary & Houston Neighborhoods Matrix
“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
| Salary Range | Central Houston | Suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Under $80,000 | *Galleria, *Medical Center, University Area | Champions, Cypress, Clear Lake, Copperfield, Eldridge North, Friendswood, Jersey Village, Katy, Kingwood, League City, Missouri City, Northside, Northwest Houston, Pearland, Spring |
| $80,000 – $150,000 | Briargrove Park, Cottage Grove, *Downtown, *EaDo, Garden Oaks, Heights, Knollwood, *Memorial Close In, *Memorial West, Meyerland, *Midtown, Oak Forest, Rice Military, Spring Branch, Timbergrove, Washington / East Sabine | Energy Corridor, Fall Creek, Fulshear, Sienna Area, Sienna Plantation, The Woodlands, Sugar Land |
| $150,000 – $250,000 | Bellaire, *Braeswood Place, Briargrove, Montrose, *Museum District, River Oaks Shopping Area, Royden / Afton Oaks | |
| Over $250,000 | Boulevard Oaks, Highland Village, Memorial Park, Memorial Villages, River Oaks, Tanglewood, West University |
Under $80,000: Best Neighborhoods
We’ve included the summary real estate statistics for 52 top neighborhoods so you can be one step closer to buying a house in Houston. Please contact us for more data, a report on the Houston cost of living comparison, or an analysis of which areas may be best for you.
| Area | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cypress | $299,900 | $76,693 | Best Suburbs |
| Friendswood | $299,000 | $76,463 | Best Golf Courses |
| Katy | $295,000 | $75,440 | Top Ranked Schools |
| League City | $294,900 | $75,414 | Best Suburbs |
| *Galleria | $287,750 | $73,586 | Most Accessible |
| Clear Lake | $285,750 | $73,074 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Pearland | $278,000 | $71,092 | Top Ranked Schools |
| *Medical Center | $275,000 | $70,325 | MetroRail Access |
| University Area | $273,444 | $69,927 | MetroRail Access |
| Eldridge North | $263,500 | $67,384 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Jersey Village | $260,000 | $66,489 | Best Suburbs |
| Champions Area | $256,950 | $65,709 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Kingwood | $255,000 | $65,211 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Spring | $254,000 | $64,955 | Best Suburbs |
| Copperfield | $245,000 | $62,653 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Missouri City | $231,000 | $59,073 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Northside | $221,750 | $56,708 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Northwest Houston | $210,000 | $53,703 | Top Ranked Schools |
Under $80,000 – Galleria/Uptown Park
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galleria | $287,750 | $73,586 | 10% |
Located just outside the Inner Loop, The Galleria is one of Houston’s busiest and most exciting districts.
Nestled at the corner of Southwest Freeway, Galleria is one of Houston’s most accessible neighborhoods. It is in close proximity to Memorial Park, one of the country’s largest urban park. Downtown Houston, Medical Center and the West University area are about 15 to 20 minutes away from the area as well.
Most of the people who live in the Galleria/Uptown Park area live in condo and highrises. (Compare Galleria Condos), as land values are quite high.
Highrise living allows residents to reside just a few blocks from numerous entertainment hubs like The Galleria mall and Uptown Park, as well as several hundred restaurants, parks, and shops.
Galleria highrises also offer great amenities: tennis courts, pools, saunas, fitness rooms, well-kept grounds, rooftop decks, and more. Porters, valet, building managers, concierges, trash & dry cleaning pickup are also available at many luxury buildings.
The most popular real estate in Galleria are condos. Most of the Best Houston Condo Investments are within luxury highrises within the Galleria area.
Under $80,000 – Katy
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katy | $295,000 | $75,440 | 17% |
Katy is one of Houston’s top ranked suburbs and many of Katy’s public schools are ranked amongst the top in the state of Texas, according to the Houston’s Best Public Schools guide.
Katy rates well among the best neighborhoods in Texas based on community ratings for public schools, home affordability, commute time, livability and amenities.
The neighborhood is one of the top communities in the state for “Fun Family Activities” with shopping and entertainment venues, like Katy Mills Mall, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, and Typhoon Texas Water Park.
Katy is also home to some of the top ranked master-planned communities in the Houston area, including Cinco Ranch, Falls at Green Meadows, Firethorne, Grand Lakes, Seven Meadows and over a dozen more.
Located about 29 miles west of Downtown Houston, the city of Katy covers a 10.7-square mile area.
Known as Old Katy or “Katy – Old Towne”, the city is west of Grand Parkway, bisected by Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway).
Greater Katy spans a much larger 181-square mile area, covering unincorporated neighborhoods and communities within Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend counties. The area’s boundaries are based on the KISD’s, with the city of Katy serving as its anchor.
Under $80,000 – Medical Center
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Center | $275,000 | $70,325 | 32% |
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.
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.
The Medical Center features a wide selection of homes including single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Fannin Station, one of Houston’s Best Gated Communities, is also located within the neighborhood. Several of Houston’s Newest Condo Buildings are coming up in the area too.
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 Houston neighborhoods over the past one, five and ten-year periods.
Under $80,000 – Pearland
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearland | $278,000 | $71,092 | 43% |
Pearland made it into this list due to the number of highly rated schools zoned to its homes. The city also offers a relatively shorter commute to key Houston areas like the Medical Center and Downtown.
More than 80% of Pearland is residential, and like most Houston suburbs that made this list, it is home to several master-planned communities. Silverlake, Silvercreek, Green Tee Terrace, Sunrise Lakes, Shadow Creek Ranch, and Southern Trails are just some of the communities within the city.
Pearland features a number of shopping and entertainment centers, including the Pearland Town Center, Shadow Creek Town Center, and Silverlake Village Shopping Center. Golf courses like Clear Creek Golf Club, Southwyck Golf Club, and Golfcrest Country Club are all within Pearland.
Most Pearland homes are zoned to the Pearland ISD, though small portions of the city are under Fort Bend, Alvin, Clear Creek, Houston, and Pasadena ISDs.
$80,000 To $150,000: Where Can I Afford To Live?
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 | Estimated Salary* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Downtown | $274,500 | $81,175 | Most Accessible |
| *EaDo | $319,000 | $81,577 | Most Accessible |
| Sienna Area | $329,000 | $84,135 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Fulshear | $332,000 | $84,902 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Fall Creek | $334,500 | $85,541 | Best Golf Courses |
| *Midtown | $336,250 | $85,989 | Most Accessible |
| Energy Corridor | $340,000 | $86,948 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Spring Branch | $347,250 | $88,802 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Sugar Land | $350,000 | $89,505 | Best Suburbs |
| Sienna Plantation | $357,700 | $91,474 | Best Golf Courses |
| Meyerland | $377,250 | $96,473 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Oak Forest | $393,500 | $100,629 | Best Appreciation |
| The Woodlands | $411,250 | $105,168 | Best Suburbs |
| Cottage Grove | $414,000 | $105,871 | Best Appreciation |
| Washington East / Sabine | $447,000 | $114,310 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Knollwood / Woodside | $455,250 | $116,420 | Best Appreciation |
| Briargrove Park / Walnutbend | $457,000 | $116,868 | Top Ranked Schools |
| *Memorial Close In | $457,500 | $116,996 | Affordable Townhomes |
| Rice Military | $474,900 | $121,445 | Best Appreciation |
| Timbergrove / Lazybrook | $489,733 | $125,238 | MetroRail Access |
| Heights / Greater Heights | $520,000 | $132,979 | Top Ranked Schools |
| *Memorial West | $562,775 | $143,917 | Best Appreciation |
| Garden Oaks | $582,500 | $148,962 | Best Appreciation |
$80,000 To $150,000- East Downtown / EaDo
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| EaDo | $319,000 | $81,577 | 46% |
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).
$80,000 To $150,000 – Houston Heights
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Heights | $520,000 | $132,979 | 62% |
A popular historic district, The Heights is also one of the best areas to buy a house in Houston mainly because of its 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).
$150,000 To $250,000 – Memorial Close-In
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Close In | $1,802,500 | $116,996 | 85% |
Located west of Downtown Houston, the Memorial area lies just outside Loop 610.
The vast Memorial area is made up of several rich neighborhoods in Houston, independent cities, and smaller gated communities.
The area is zoned to some of the top-ranked schools in Texas, including Memorial Drive Elementary, Frostwood Elementary, Wilchester Elementary, Bunker Hill Elementary, Memorial Middle and Memorial High.
Land value in Memorial is typically lower than neighborhoods like Tanglewood, West University, or River Oaks, and many Memorial homes for sale have large, wooded lots. A large number of Memorial home buyers choose the area because they want more land than inner loop neighborhoods provide.
Memorial homes enjoy easy access to schools, stores, restaurants, entertainment centers, and parks. The Galleria/Uptown area and the Energy Corridor, two of Houston’s largest employment centers, are easily accessible from Memorial.
Note: The following communities have been included in the Memorial Close In Area: Sherwood Forest, Winston Wood, Pinewood Estates, Bayou Woods, Stablewood, Longwoods, Oak Hill, Park Laureate Place, Park at Saddlebrook.
$80,000 To $150,000 – Cottage Grove
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove | $414,000 | $105,871 | 54% |
The salary needed to live comfortably in Houston depends on your lifestyle. Cottage Grove is one of the neighborhoods that offer a lot of flexibility.
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 developments 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.
$80,000 To $150,000 – Oak Forest
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Forest | $393,500 | $100,629 | 97% |
Made up of more than 5,500 homes, Oak Forest is a quaint neighborhood located just outside the Loop.
Oak Forest real estate has remained popular over the years due to several factors, including the neighborhood’s location, large lots, and relatively affordable home prices.
Homes in the area enjoy convenient access to schools, stores, restaurants, entertainment centers, and parks.
Business and employment hubs in the Galleria and Downtown Houston are easily accessible from the neighborhood.
Apart from relatively easy commutes and the neighborhood’s quiet suburban feel, Oak Forest’s schools are also a great draw for homebuyers.
$80,000 To $150,000 – Timbergrove / Lazybrook
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timbergrove/Lazybrook | $489,733 | $125,238 | 69% |
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 top 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.
$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 $500M 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 | Estimated Salary* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | $657,900 | $168,243 | Most Accessible |
| *Braeswood Place | $660,000 | $168,780 | Most Expensive |
| *Museum District | $725,000 | $185,403 | Best Appreciation |
| River Oaks Shopping Area | $793,750 | $202,984 | Most Accessible |
| Briargrove | $870,600 | $222,637 | Top Ranked Schools |
| Bellaire | $893,375 | $228,461 | Most Expensive |
| Royden / Afton Oaks | $970,000 | $248,056 | Most Expensive |
$150,000 To $250,000 – Museum District
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice / Museum District | $725,000 | $185,403 | 47% |
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 popular choices.
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.
Over $250,000 – Afton Oaks
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afton Oaks | $970,000 | $248,056 | 51% |
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 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 considered one of 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 remodelling), and proximity to railroad tracks and major freeways (both of which may affect resale values).
$150,000 To $250,000 – Braeswood Place
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braeswood Place | $932,000 | $168,780 | 88% |
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).
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 | Estimated Salary* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks | $2,350,000 | $600,961 | Most Expensive |
| Memorial Villages | $1,610,000 | $411,722 | Most Expensive |
| Tanglewood | $1,570,400 | $401,595 | Most Expensive |
| Memorial Park | $1,495,000 | $382,313 | Most Expensive |
| West University | $1,398,000 | $357,508 | Most Expensive |
| Boulevard Oaks | $1,115,000 | $285,137 | Most Expensive |
| Highland Village | $1,085,000 | $277,465 | Most Expensive |
Over $250,000 – River Oaks
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Oaks | $2,350,000 | $600,961 | 100% |
River Oaks Houston is one of the most exclusive, as well as one of the wealthiest suburbs 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 luxury single family homes, specifically mansions, this is the place to be.
Over $250,000 – Highland Village / Midlane
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Estimated Salary | 10-Yr Apprec. % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Village / Midlane | $1,085,000 | $277,465 | 92% |
Highland Village is one of the “pocket neighborhoods” near River Oaks and the Galleria/Uptown area. Deed-restricted and nestled just south of an upscale Houston retail destination, the neighborhood is a popular option.
Residents living near the park enjoy proximity to its many amenities and its unique “close to nature” vibe.
The Highland Village Shopping Center, one of Houston’s earliest shopping destinations, is a stone’s throw away from the neighborhood. Landscaped and lined with upscale retail and dining options, the shopping center has been around since 1957. Today, it has more than 60 luxury boutiques, restaurants, and commercial establishments.
Nestled in the area between the Galleria/Uptown Houston and Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza, Highland Village homes are blocks away from two of Houston’s key business and employment hubs. The 17th largest business district in the US, the Uptown/Galleria area features more than 2,000 businesses and 23 million square feet of office space.
Three of Houston ISD’s International Baccalaureate World Schools serve Highland Village homes. St. George Place Elementary, Lanier Middle, and Lamar High School are among the best schools in the Inner Loop.
Like most of Houston’s pocket subdivisions (Lynn Park and Oak Estates), Highland Village is deed-restricted. Architectural guidelines, deed covenants, and an active HOA (Highland Village Civic Club) have helped maintain the neighborhood’s overall look and feel.
The neighborhood has easy access to main districts via major roads and freeways nearby, including Loop 610, Southwest Freeway, Willowick Road, and Westheimer Road. The Texas Medical Center and Downtown Houston are both conveniently accessible from the neighborhood.
Buying or selling a home in Highland Village can be challenging, but manageable for the best Houston realtor, due to the neighborhood’s deed restrictions, older homes, and proximity to railroad tracks (which can affect resale values).
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.
- https://www.houston.org/living/
- Median home sale prices were calculated by HAR MLS Geo Market area, HAR MLS Master Planned Community Designation, or HAR MLS subdivision based on data from January 1 – December 31, 2020.
- All median Houston home value information was sourced by the HAR MLS database.
- *Default median housing price values are from single-family homes, except these neighborhoods (where condos, townhomes and single-family homes are considered due to the fact that there’s an above average of condos/townhomes in these market areas.) These exception neighborhoods include: Braeswood Place, Rice/Museum District, Memorial West, Midtown, Downtown, EaDo, Memorial Close In, and Medical Center.
- For monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) the following assumptions were used: 20% down payment, 3.1% interest rate, 30 year mortgage, 2.54% effective property tax rate, 0.5% annual insurance cost based on the median sale price, no PMI. Monthly PITI costs were generated, using those assumptions, from http://www.mortgagecalculator.org/
- 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 (all revolving, installment, and mortgage liabilities). For this ratio 36% is normally used in planning and around 43% is around the maximum allowed. Contact your mortgage provider for specifics, or contact me for mortgage provider recommendations.
- 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 me know.
Top Ranked Realtors: Paige Martin & 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 the 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.
