Can I Afford a Home
in Houston?
Median home price in Houston is $310,000. At 6.5% with 25% down, you need $93,206/year to qualify under the 28% housing rule.
Houston, TX — 2024 snapshot
Income gap vs. median earners
At a 5.0x income-to-price ratio, Houston buyers need $31,206/year more than the local median household income to afford the median home.
Monthly payment breakdown — Houston
Median home price $310,000, 25% down ($77,500), 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed.
| Component | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Principal & interest | $1,470/mo | $17,640/yr |
| Property tax (2.23% rate) | $576/mo | $6,912/yr |
| Homeowner insurance (est.) | $129/mo | $1,548/yr |
| Total PITI | $2,175/mo | $26,100/yr |
Required income by mortgage rate
Median Houston home at $310,000, 20% down ($62,000), 30-year fixed.
| Rate | Monthly PITI | Required income |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | $2,192/mo | $93,943/yr |
| 6.5% (current est.) | $2,273/mo | $97,414/yr |
| 7% | $2,355/mo | $100,929/yr |
| 7.5% | $2,439/mo | $104,529/yr |
Uses Houston's 2.23% property tax rate and 0.5% insurance estimate. No existing debts assumed.
Check your specific salary
Use the income bracket pages to see how your salary compares to the $93,206/year needed in Houston.
Run your exact numbers for Houston
Do not include rent — only recurring debt obligations.
Less than 20% of the home price triggers PMI (private mortgage insurance).
Buying and selling within 5 years rarely covers transaction costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I afford a home in Houston?
Median home price in Houston is $310,000. At 6.5% with 25% down ($77,500), the monthly PITI is $2,175. To keep housing costs at or below 28% of gross income, you need $93,206/year. The median household income in Houston is $62,000, which means the typical household falls $31,206 short.
What income do you need to buy a house in Houston?
To afford the median Houston home at $310,000 with 25% down and a 6.5% rate, you need approximately $93,206/year. This applies the 28% front-end DTI limit used by conventional lenders. Increasing your down payment or waiting for lower rates reduces this threshold.
What is the property tax rate in Houston?
The effective property tax rate in Houston, Texas is 2.23% annually. On the median home of $310,000, that is $576/month or $6,912/year in property taxes. Property taxes are included in PITI and count toward the 28% front-end DTI limit.
How much is a down payment on a house in Houston?
On the Houston median home price of $310,000, a 20% down payment is $62,000 and a 25% down payment is $77,500. Putting down at least 20% eliminates PMI. For homes above $766,550, you will need a jumbo loan, which typically requires 20-30% down and stricter income documentation.