With southern hospitality, mild four seasons and a vibrant sports culture, it's not hard to see why Houston is one of the best places to live. It's also the fourth most populous city in the U.S.
Houston neighborhoods are as varied as they come due to a robust immigrant population (they make up 75 percent of the local population) and a growing dining scene. You'll find thriving industries, as well as ample green spaces within the city at Buffalo Bayou Park and Hermann Park.
Are you thinking of making a move? This city remains strong despite natural disasters, and it's worth getting to know. Keep on reading to see if Houston is right for your budget.
Houston remains affordable despite increased demand due to the pandemic. The South saw rent prices go up for all unit types. Houston's one-bedroom average rent remains $400 below the national average.
Currently, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Houston is $1,229 a month. One-bedrooms went down 3.5 percent year-over-year. But Houston still saw one of the most significant increases in rent prices for studio apartments year-over-year.
As one of the largest cities in the U.S., Houston brings many different personalities to its neighborhoods. Houston neighborhoods are easily located by where on "The Loop" they are (the circular loop created by I-610).
As mentioned, Houston offers a variety of neighborhoods for different budgets. Experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your pre-tax income on a rental. So, if you were to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Houston at $1,229 a month on average, you would need to make about $50,000 a year to live comfortably in the city.
Use our rent calculator to determine how much you can afford in rent when living in Houston.
On top of offering a growing job market and great year-round weather, Houston also remains affordable compared to the overall national cost of living index. A few things remain higher than the rest of the U.S., including healthcare and utilities.
While rental prices vary widely by neighborhood, you'll be able to find a good fit for your income. Here's a bird's eye view of the cost of living in Houston.
Houston's inner loop — inside of the I-610 loop — includes downtown Houston and neighborhoods with quick access to entertainment, sports and a thriving dining scene.
You'll see more apartments in this area, with Downtown, Uptown-Galleria, Midtown and Braeswood leaning to more expensive. Traffic comes into your housing decision as traffic in the city can get extremely heavy.
For those in the outer loop, you'll see more residential housing. More affordable neighborhoods will be found around the border of the inner loop, like Edgebrook, Southbelt-Ellington and Northwest Houston.
Downtown Houston and Greater Heights have seen an almost 20 percent increase in one-bedroom rents year-over-year, showing newcomers' demand. Greater Heights, also known as The Heights, remains mostly residential and continues to attract young families as schools in the area rate well.
The artsy Montrose and walkable Midtown neighborhoods saw noticeable decreases in rent prices, at 16 percent and 7 percent, respectively, while remaining above the average rent price. These expensive neighborhoods feature walkability, access to hip bars, breweries and restaurants, public transportation and bike routes. Or, in the case of the suburbs, higher-rated public schools.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downtown | $2,625 | 18.56% |
| 2 | Medical Center | $2,424 | -3.96% |
| 3 | Uptown-Galleria | $2,302 | 15.65% |
| 4 | Braeswood | $2,067 | -5.28% |
| 5 | University Place | $2,067 | -5.28% |
| 6 | Greater Heights | $2,008 | 15.02% |
| 7 | Midtown | $1,977 | -7.08% |
| 8 | South Central Houston | $1,972 | -4.81% |
| 9 | Great Uptown | $1,746 | 8.54% |
| 10 | Fourth Ward | $1,741 | 0.10% |
Southeast Houston saw a dramatic price decrease at 37 percent year-over-year, at $742 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. The neighborhood is home to The University of Houston and Texas Southern University so pricing remains low for those enrolled in the universities.
In the Meyerland neighborhood, you'll find a growing Jewish community with ranch homes, community centers and parks like Herbert Godwin Park. The area has seen a 14 percent decrease in rent pricing year-over-year.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pecan Park | $676 | N/A |
| 2 | North Park Forest | $688 | -1.33% |
| 3 | Hollister Manor | $698 | 0.00% |
| 4 | Coventry Square | $711 | -1.17% |
| 5 | Westbury | $715 | 2.57% |
| 6 | East Houston* | $721 | N/A |
| 7 | Belfort Park | $723 | 0.00% |
| 8 | South Park | $723 | 0.00% |
| 9 | Edgebrook | $741 | -2.15% |
| 10 | Lawndale - Wayside | $741 | -4.76% |
Looking for the bigger picture? We break down all the Houston neighborhoods below along with their average rent cost.
Houston has everything to offer — from access to entertainment and international food and dining options to proximity to the coast and plenty of history. This is one resilient city after economic woes, hurricanes and more.
Now that you got to know the neighborhoods around Houston and their average rent cost, it's time to make your choice, start packing and find your dream apartment.
Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based journalist who writes about technology and its intersection with arts and culture. She's worked on content for startups like Mailchimp, Patreon, Punchlist, Skillshare, Rent. and others. Muriel has also contributed to The Washington Post, Eater, DWELL, Outside Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, AIGA Eye on Design, Bitter Southerner and more.