2021 Housing Market Overview
Houston Real Estate Market 2021
Houston Real Estate Market Overview
Metro Population: 7 M
Median Household Income:$70,000
Unemployment Rate:5%
Median Home Price*:$224,750
Median Monthly Rent*:$1477

Interested in investing in the Houston real estate market in 2021? On this page you’ll learn about housing market trends and statistics to help you make that decision.
About Houston
Located in Southeast Texas, near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is the most populous city in Texas, the fourth most populous city in the nation, and the seat of Harris County. At 655 square miles, the city of Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami.
Nicknamed the “Space City,” Houston is a global city, with a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation.
The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage (weight in tons) handled, and second in total cargo tonnage handled. There are 26 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Houston, including: Conoco Phillips, Marathon Oil, Sysco, Apache, Halliburton, and many more.
Houston is also home to 49 Fortune 1000 companies, which is the second largest concentration of any other city in the country, behind only New York with 72. In addition, the largest medical center in the world, The Texas Medical Center, is located in Houston and gets an average of 7.2 million visitors per year. To date, there have been more heart surgeries performed here than anywhere else in the world.
Houston Housing Market Trends
Houston Real Estate Market Trends & Statistics 2021
In this section, you’ll learn about the top factors that make the Houston housing market one of the strongest today, including: affordability, cash flow, and equity growth potential. Explore Houston’s housing market, population, and employment trends in the tabs to learn more.
Data Sources:
- https://factfinder.census.gov/
- https://www.zillow.com/
- https://www.deptofnumbers.com/
- RealWealth Property Team Data
The Houston housing market is more affordable than many other U.S. markets today.
- In 2020, the median price of homes in Houston was $224,750. This is 12% lower than the national average of $254,000.
- In the neighborhoods where RealWealth members invest, the median price of average homes in Houston was only $155,000, which is 39% lower than the national average.
- This shows us that real estate in Houston is more affordable than many other U.S. markets today. This is especially true in the Houston neighborhoods where RealWealth members are investing today.
Houston offers investors a strong opportunity to generate passive monthly income.
- In 2020, the median monthly rent for average homes in Houston was $1,477, which is 0.66% of the purchase price of $224,750. This is slightly below the national purchase-to-rent ratio of 0.68%.
- In the neighborhoods where RealWealth members invest, the median monthly rent of average homes was $1,225 during this period. This is 0.82% of the purchase price of $155,000.
- This shows us that Houston offers investors a very strong opportunity to generate cash flow, at a significantly higher rent-to-purchase ratio than the national average.
Houston home values have been rising at a steady rate.
- In 2014, the median price of average homes in Houston was $172,018. This means, in the last 6 years (2014 to 2020), average homes in Houston have appreciated by 31%. During the same period, average home values increased by 36% nationwide.
Houston rents have been rising faster than other real estate markets across the nation
- Between 2014 and 2020, the median rent for average homes in Houston increased by 12%. Nationally, rents increased by 23% during this period.
- Although rents are increasing at a slower rate compared to other markets across the U.S., they are still appreciating. This is good news for investors interested in cash flow opportunities.
Houston’s population has been growing faster than the national average.

- Since 2010, Houston’s population has increased nearly 19%. In the last year, there were 164,500 jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to job losses nationwide, Houston fared 14% better and in a typical year, the number of jobs grew by 2.59%
- This shows us that more people are moving to Houston than many other U.S. cities today… likely because they are attracted to the growing number of jobs available in the area along with a stable economy.
The Houston real estate market is creating more jobs than many other U.S. cities today

- In the past year, the number of jobs in Houston decreased by 5.19%, versus 6% nationally.
- This shows us that Houston’s job market provides stability for investors.
- In fact, just the year before in 2019, Houston was named the third-fastest growing job market in the country. It also has a relatively low cost of living.
Houston is Affordable
- In the neighborhoods where RealWealth members invest, the median price of average homes in Houston was only $155,000, which is 21% lower than the national average.
- This shows us that real estate in Houston is more affordable than many other U.S. markets today. This is especially true in the Houston neighborhoods where RealWealth members are investing today.
Houston Offers Cash Flow Opportunities
- In the neighborhoods where RealWealth members invest, the median monthly rent for average homes was $1,275 during this period. This is 0.82% of the purchase price of $155,000.
- This shows us that Houston offers investors a strong opportunity to generate cash flow, at a significantly higher rent-to-purchase ratio than the national average.
Houston is Appreciating & Rents are Rising
- In the last 6 years (2014 to 2020), average homes in Houston have appreciated by nearly 31%. During the same period, average home values increased by 36% nationwide.
- During the same period, the average rent for average homes in Houston increased by 12%. Nationally, rents increased by 23% during this period.
- This shows us that property values are appreciating at a faster rate than other markets across the nation, while rents have slowed down just a little. This is good news for investors interested in strong cash flow opportunities.
Houston Has Steady Population Growth & Rapid Job Growth
- Since 2010, Houston’s population has increased nearly 19%, compared to 6% population growth nationwide.
- This shows us that more people are moving to Houston than many other U.S. cities today… likely because they are attracted to the growing number of jobs available in the area.
Major Employers in Houston

Houston Housing Market News
- "#2 Best Place to Live in the World" - Business Insider
- "#10 Best City for Young Entrepreneurs" - Forbes
- "#20 Best Place to Live" - U.S. News
- "11 Reasons to Move to Houston" - Texas Monthly
- "Fastest-Growing Metro in America" - Business Journal
- "Texas #4 in Best States for Growth" - U.S. News
- "#10 Best Nightlife Scene in US " - US News
Property Teams

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Sample properties

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. RealWealth makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of this information. Please be advised that this content may contain errors, is subject to revision at all times, and should not be relied upon for any purpose. Under no circumstances shall RealWealth be liable to you or anyone else for damage stemming from the use or misuse of this information.