On the Market

Houston's Zen House: 1946 home renovated and revamped into a tranquil, luxury retreat

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses and properties for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

An extensive renovation to a home on a quiet tree-lined street in Riverside Terrace brings a Zen factor to the original 1946 structure. This runs throughout the residence and in the backyard, where an oversized spa with a waterfall is a highlight of the salt water swimming pool.

Walk through

Custom-made steel-frame doors with exotic scroll detailing set the stage for the house at 2412 Wichita St., opening to the grand two-story entry and staircase with Asian-inspired banister and hand rails. Restored rich wooden flooring flows into the large living room with 9-foot ceilings. A center wood-burning fireplace serves as the focal point, and new energy-efficient, double-pane casement windows allow for natural light to fill the area.

An oversized spa with a waterfall is a highlight of the salt water swimming pool.

An ornate entertainment bar with refrigerator, ice maker and sink is also readily at hand. The bar shares the same space with the formal dining room, where a wall of windows and French doors with access to the back gardens extends the length of the room.

The custom kitchen, open to the dining area, includes cabinetry with bronze hardware, stainless steel appliances and concrete countertops. Updated electrical fixtures, such as track and recessed lighting, are found in this hub of the home.

The master suite sits on the first floor and offers a built-in closet system and extended sitting niche. Highlights of the master bath include limestone floors, frameless glass shower and pedestal sink. Upstairs are the two additional bedrooms plus an office/study, all with hardwood flooring and ceiling fans and access to a second-story terrace. Two full baths with designer cabinetry, vanities and sconces are en suite.

Step outside
A pergola defines the expansive patio, providing the perfect spot for entertaining with views of the landscaped backyard. Stone sidewalks lead to a saltwater pool and spa surrounded by Zen-like gardens.

Square footage:2,772

Asking price: $779,000

Listing agent: Richard Ray, John Daugherty Realtors

Welcome to 2412 Wichita St. in Riverside Terrace.

On the Market 2412 Wichita St. March 2015

Photo courtesy of © TK Images

Welcome to 2412 Wichita St. in Riverside Terrace.

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rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments

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A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

"Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

Dallas – $71,413
Austin – $68,840
San Antonio – $58,590

zillow housing report rent prices affordability houston