Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Houston, Texas.
Median Home Price
$325K
Population
2.3M
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,450
Property Tax Rate
1.8% *
* Property tax shown is the Texas state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Houston.
Houston vs Texas Median
The median home price in Houston is $325,000, which is roughly in line with the Texas state median of $310,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Houston, TX
Pre-filled with Houston median home price and Texas tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $325K home using Texas's 1.8% tax rate and $3,800/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,936/mo
Down: $16,250
Loan: $309K
P&I: $1,952
Tax: $488
Insurance: $317
PMI: $180
10% Down
$2,824/mo
Down: $32,500
Loan: $293K
P&I: $1,849
Tax: $488
Insurance: $317
PMI: $171
20% Down (No PMI)
$2,448/mo
Down: $65,000
Loan: $260K
P&I: $1,643
Tax: $488
Insurance: $317
Income needed (28% rule): $105K/year with 20% down, $121K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Houston
Rent
$1,450/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,824/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 18.7 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Houston depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Houston is $325,000, roughly in line with the Texas state median of $310,000. With a population of 2,304,580, Houston is a major metro area where home prices reflect strong demand and local economic factors.
Property taxes in Texas average 1.8% annually. This higher-than-average tax rate means a $325,000 home in Houston would carry roughly $488/month in property taxes alone — plan accordingly. Homeowners insurance in Texas runs approximately $3,800 per year. Insurance costs are notably high — factor this into your monthly budget.
Average rent in Houston is $1,450/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Houston is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Houston presents moderate affordability. The $325K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Houston.