Houston's Housing Inventory

While U.S. housing inventory falls, the number of Houston homes for sale is on the rise

At the end of Q3 in 2015, there were 23,079 available homes in Houston. This number has actually grown and as of now Houston is seeing 24,248 homes, which is a 5.1 percent increase.

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What is scarier than a potential home buyer not finding the perfect dream house with a spiral staircase or white picket fence? Not being able to find a home at all.

The U.S. housing market has collectively seen a home inventory decline for the fifth consecutive quarter, the longest streak since the housing market crashed in 2012. As a result of the sharp inventory decline, prices have shot up as well, according to Trulia’s inventory trend study of the 100 largest metro areas.

Comparing these to the third quarter statistics in 2015, starter homes have increased in median price by 7.5 percent. Similarly, trade-up homes saw an increase of 6.4 percent and premium homes rose 7.5 percent. This continues to affect affordability for potential home buyers across the country.

As seen, homebuyers looking at starter homes have to dedicate 38.5 percent of their monthly income for purchase, which is a 1.7-point increase from last year. Trade-up homebuyers typically spend 25.5 percent of their monthly income on buying, a .9-point increase. And finally, those interested in premium homes spend 13.9 percent of their monthly income, which is a .6-point increase from the previous year.

Houston: A Promising Future

Despite these home inventory statistics found by Trulia, other indications suggest certain different metropolitan areas are seeing signs of relief. All those living in Cape Coral-Fort Myers rejoice! Over the past year, this metropolitan has seen a 36.7 percent increase in home inventory. As of now, there are 21 total major metropolitan areas that have actually experienced similar increases in inventory of the past year, including Houston.

The city of Houston has seen numerous changes in the housing market in recent years, making this metropolitan area a far more favorable place to live. Of the different factors, Houston’s home inventory growth continues to balance out the city’s supply and demand in the housing market, which has been a huge goal for those in the industry. At the end of Q3 in 2015, there were 23,079 available homes in Houston. This number has actually grown and as of now Houston is seeing 24,248 homes, which is a 5.1 percent increase.

Other cities are also, quite literally, gaining ground. Miami has seen a 33.1 percent surge in home inventory in the past year, and trailing close behind include Las Vegas, Fresno, and the Northpoint-Sarasota-Bradenton metro. Just in Texas, San Antonio made the list of top cities with a .4 percent home inventory increase.

Why the positive shift in Houston and other cities with comparable data? For one, according to the US Census Income and Poverty report, national real income increased over five percent in 2015. That, combined with income growth, can help break down the housing market gridlock. Houston’s housing market is hopeful as the city continues to see an increase in home inventory as well as various factors that indicate a stronger market overall.

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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

Houston's Housing Inventory

While U.S. housing inventory falls, the number of Houston homes for sale is on the rise

rent affordability news

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

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