budget wisely

Houston renters get a lot of value for $1,500 per month, study finds

The average apartment size in Houston is only 881 square feet, but renters can size up to a 983-square-foot apartment for just $154 more.

Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

A new apartment analysis by RentCafe has revealed renters living in the Houston area can get some of the largest apartments in Texas for just $1,500 a month.

Houston renters can get the 10th largest apartments statewide – spanning 983 square feet – for a $1,500 monthly budget. For added context, the average size of Houston apartment is only 881 square feet, which would cost about $1,345 a month.

The study examined data from RentCafe's sister site, Yardi Matrix, to determine the average size and price per square foot for a $1,500 monthly budget in 200 of the largest American cities. According to the study's findings, the national average size of an apartment only spans 729 square feet for a $1,500 monthly price tag.

Over in the neighboring suburb of Pasadena, renters can get the sixth-largest apartments in Texas for the same budget, at a spacious 1,133 square feet.

In comparison to RentCafe's 2023 study, Houston-area renters are saddled with doing more with less when it comes to the spaciousness of their apartments and the size of their budgets. Pasadena residents previously were able to find 1,180-square-foot apartments for $1,500 a month last year, while Houstonians were able to find 997-square-foot apartments for the same amount of money.

In the national ranking of the largest U.S. cities with the greatest average apartment space, Wichita, Kansas claimed the No. 1 spot with apartments spanning 1,359 square feet. Houston made it into the top 25, coming in at No. 22 nationally. Pasadena ranked No. 18 in the national comparison of the top 100 small U.S. cities.

Houston renters may be more satisfied to live in the far-flung suburb of Conroe, which recently ranked as the No. 31 best suburb for renters nationwide. RentCafe says the average apartment size in Conroe is 920 square feet for only $1,357 a month as of March 2024.

Apartment sizes around Texas
For the second year in a row, Austin is the worst offender in Texas with the smallest apartment space for a $1,500 monthly budget. Austin renters have to make do with an average apartment size of 759 square feet, which is a 284-square-foot difference from Houston. Austin (once again) is at the bottom of the list in the overall analysis of Texas cities, and ranked No. 63 in the national comparison.

Renters in the Rio Grande Valley city of McAllen are still getting the most bang for their buck with the best price per square foot in Texas for the second consecutive year. McAllen renters can find 1,423-square-foot apartments for just $1,500 a month. Brownsville (located 60 miles east of McAllen) is home to the third-largest apartments in Texas for the same budget, with a 1,285-square-foot average apartment size.

Across North Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth renters will notice a 103-square-foot difference between apartments, at 815 and 918 square feet, respectively. Residents can use their monthly budget more wisely in suburbs like Mesquite, with apartments covering 969 square feet.

houston apartments pasadena rent prices reports real estate

HAUTE PROPERTIES

675-acre Hill Country ranch where George Strait rehearsed lists for $19.5M

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located 65 miles from San Antonio in Hays County on 675 acres, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Olmos Park firm Republic Ranches. is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation gives an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch. The entire mountain is also included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner with unobstructed privacy on three sides.

Two ponds are on the site — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — both fully stocked. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls.The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more. The property is under wildlife exemption.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman, giving views around every corner. Only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

ranches hill country hays county celebrities george strait george jones listings

budget wisely

Houston renters get a lot of value for $1,500 per month, study finds

Favorite Houston burger joint fires up Memorial opening date

Houston restaurant known for meatloaf and bourbon sets River Oaks opening date

Beard-recognized Houston chef fires up second taqueria in Lindale Park

HAUTE PROPERTIES

675-acre Hill Country ranch where George Strait rehearsed lists for $19.5M