Grad Advice

Rents are more affordable in Houston for college grads than almost any big city in the nation

Now that the school year is over, millions of recent graduates are looking for jobs and places to live, and according to a new study, Houston is one of the country's most affordable markets for these recent grads.

Real estate website Trulia found that two Texas cities are within the top five most affordable rental markets for recent grads, with Dallas ranking No. 2 and Houston coming in at No. 3.

In Houston, 10.4 percent of rental units are affordable to recent grads with the maximum monthly rent payment that would be considered affordable to them as $746.

No. 1 on the list is St. Louis where 18.6 percent of rental units are affordable to that demographic with a maximum affordable monthly rent payment is $666. In Dallas, 14.9 percent of rental units are affordable to recent grads and the maximum affordable rent is $799.

Atlanta and Phoenix came in at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

The most expensive cities for college grads are Portland, southern California locales (Riverside-San Bernardino, Orange County and San Diego) and Miami.

To conduct the study, Trulia looked at the portion of rental homes on the site within financial reach of employed college graduates between the ages of 22 and 25 as of May 7. The standard for affordability is whether the total monthly payment, including rental payment and insurance, equals less than 31 percent of the metro area's median income for recent grads.

According to the study, renters in Houston and Dallas might still need a roommate to make the median rental affordable. (In Houston it would take .7 and in Dallas .5; numbers have been rounded up since any fraction of a roommate would count as a whole person.) But that's better than New York (2.6), Miami (2.3) and Los Angeles (2.3), where it would take as many as three roommates to make the median rent affordable.

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prince of parties' palace

Legendary Houston caterer's gorgeous Greek Revival on sale for $2.95 million

Photo by Wade Blissard

200 Westmoreland, once home to Jackson Hicks, is on the market for $2.95 million

Once upon a time in Houston, Jackson Hicks was “The Prince of Parties.” The renowned caterer and event planner behind Jackson and Co. threw some of the best bashes in the Bayou City, for everyone from presidents to bold-face society names.

Hicks passed away in 2020, but the memories of “a Jackson” event live on for anyone who attended one.

Memories also linger through the walls of 200 Westmoreland Street, Hicks’ former home, a 1910 Greek Revival masterpiece, where Hicks himself welcomed many of the city's icons. The home is on the market for $2.95 million and represented by Tim Surratt of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty.

A true “if these walls could talk” space, 200 Westmoreland Street has been updated for modern sensibilities, while retailing all of its original elegance. A grand entry opens into the three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home’s light-filled rooms. The chef’s kitchen has marble countertops, a Wolf range, and a cozy breakfast room. Upstairs, the primary suite has a fireplace, walk-in closet, luxurious bath, and access to a spacious den with a balcony.

Lovely details include tall windows, intricate millwork, original hardwood floors, and four fireplaces.

200 Westmoreland Street was made for living and entertaining, with cozy nooks and open rooms offering spaces for gathering with family and friends. A pool house doubles as a workout space or guest suite with a Murphy bed and full bath. And the detached two-story carriage house has a four-car garage and a one-bedroom apartment. The heated outdoor pool and deck surrounding it add to the home’s appeal.

From curb appeal through its living spaces and grounds, 200 Westmoreland Street evokes gracious living. That’s exactly what Jackson Hicks brought to his events, and what this home’s new owners will surely appreciate.

Photo by Wade Blissard

200 Westmoreland, once home to Jackson Hicks, is on the market for $2.95 million.

home-for-sale jackson hicks