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    Eye on the Prize

    How long it takes to become a homeowner in Houston might surprise you

    Lindsey Wilson
    Sep 21, 2020 | 10:30 am
    House and mortgage papers
    On the road from renter to homeowner.
    Photo by Krisanapong Detraphiphat/Getty

    With the Houston real estate market booming right now, it feels like everyone is rushing to buy a house. But how long have these buyers been saving up for this huge purchase?

    A new study from financial website SmartAsset looked at how long it typically takes someone in 100 U.S. cities to become a homeowner. The report looked at data across five metrics: median household income, effective income tax rate, median annual rent, median home value, and average closing costs.

    Using income, tax rates, and rent figures, the site calculated income after taxes and rent in each city. It assumed renters would be able to save 40 percent of their post-tax and rent income annually.

    Then, the analysts divided the upfront costs for a home, including a 20 percent down payment on the median-valued home and average closing costs, by that savings figure to estimate an average length of time for homeownership to be achieved.

    Overall, the winner is Fort Wayne, Indiana, at just a touch over two years, but four of the top 10 cities where it takes the least time for renters to become homeowners are in Texas. The estimated time for renters to become homeowners is less than 2.5 years in Corpus Christi, Laredo, El Paso, and Arlington.

    But when you look at the top 15 largest cities in the U.S., the Lone Star State looks even more impressive.

    On that list, Fort Worth nabs the No. 2 spot behind Columbus, Ohio. With an income of $37,547 after taxes and rent and upfront home costs (20 percent down plus closing costs) of $41,236, it tends to take Cowtown residents only 2.75 years before they're homeowners.

    San Antonio is hot in Fort Worth's heels, coming in at only 2.77 years thanks to home costs of $34,402 and an income of $31,403.

    Houston ties with Jacksonville, Florida, for fourth, using $32,074 income plus $39,171 home costs for a total of 3.05 years of saving.

    Dallas is No. 6, where residents can typically become homeowners after 3.47 years of saving. Income of $32,69 and home costs of $45,257 leave an estimated yearly savings of $13,047 to put toward buying a home.

    Austin is the last Texas city on the list, at No. 8, taking about 4.29 years to get the keys. Here, you'll also find the biggest numbers in the state: an income of $45,033, upfront home costs of a whopping $77,231, and an estimated yearly savings of $18,013 to put toward homeownership.

    SmartAsset also has the numbers if a buyer is only looking to put down 10 percent, and that obviously results in a quicker path to closing day.

    According to a National Association of Realtors report, the median age of first-time homebuyers in 2019 was 33 years old, three years older than it was a decade prior. Moreover, a recent Zillow analysis shows that the typical first-time homebuyer now rents for six years before settling down in one place, more than double the amount of time needed in the early 1970s.

    home-for-salereports
    news/real-estate

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    This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas

    Amber Heckler
    Dec 5, 2025 | 9:14 am
    Bellaire, Texas
    Facebook / City of Bellaire, Texas
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    Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study from GoBankingRates.

    The report, "The Richest Small Town in Every State," used data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey to determine the 50 richest small towns in America based on their median household income.

    Of course, Houstonians realize that describing Bellaire as a "small town" is a bit of misnomer. Located less than 10 miles from downtown and fully surrounded by the City of Houston, Bellaire is a wealthy enclave that boasts a population of just over 17,000 residents. These affluent citizens earn a median $236,311 in income every year, which GoBankingRates says is the 11th highest household median income out of all 50 cities included in the report.

    The average home in this city is worth over $1.12 million, but Bellaire's lavish residential reputation often attracts properties with multi-million-dollar price tags.

    Bellaire also earned a shining 81 livability score for its top quality schools, health and safety, commute times, and more. The livability index, provided by Toronto, Canada-based data analytics and real estate platform AreaVibes, said Bellaire has "an abundance of exceptional local amenities."

    "Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks," AreaVibes said. "These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that [residents'] daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation."

    Many popular Houston restaurants are setting their sights on this wealthy enclave. Detroit-style pizzamakers Gold Tooth Tony’s opened its second pizza joint in Bellaire in 2024. And most recently, Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant Candente announced it would open a second location just down the street from Gold Tooth Tony's at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

    Earlier in 2025, GoBankingRates ranked Bellaire as the No. 23 wealthiest suburb in America, and it's no stranger to being named on similar lists comparing the richest American cities.

    suburbshoustonbellaireaffluent households
    news/real-estate
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