welcome home

3 booming Houston 'burbs dominate top 10 list of most 'house rich' cities in U.S.

Sugar Land residents boast the No. 3 'house-rich' home rank in the U.S.

Photo via Martha Turner Sotheby's

With high interest rates and home prices making daily headlines, houses in Texas' current real estate market may seem out of reach for many potential homebuyers.

But that isn't the case in the Houston area. A new study has revealed three H-town suburbs were ranked the most "house rich" cities in the United States: Sugar Land (No. 3), Pearland (No. 5), and League City (No. 7).

To define the term "house rich," home services provider All Star Home examined data from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding the median value of owner-occupied homes and the median household income across the 25 most populous American cities. A home-value-to-income ratio was established for each city based on the Census data, and rankings were determined based on whether a city had a low home-value-to-income ratio and high homeownership rate.

Sugar Landhas a homeownership rate of 80.90 percent, which is an impressive number in comparison to Houston's own homeownership rate of 42.50 percent. The census data estimates Sugar Land's median home value at $397,000, the greatest out of the three suburbs, and the median household income is $132,766. The report determined Sugar Land's home-value-to-income ratio is 2.78, which is also the highest out of the three total Houston 'burbs.

The homeownership rate in Pearland isn't too far behind Sugar Land's, at 76.60 percent, with home values estimated at a median $334,800. The census data places the median household income in Pearland at $103,496, which means the city's home-value-to-income ratio is 2.52.

League City'shomeownership rate of 74.40 percent is much closer to Pearland's than Sugar Land's. The median value of a home in League City is $350,300, and the median household income is estimated at $104,867. The city's home-value-to-income ratio is 2.44.

The top 10 most house rich American cities are:

No. 1 – Davie, North Carolina
No. 2 – Buckeye, Arizona
No. 3 – Sugar Land, Texas
No. 4 – Fishers, Indiana
No. 5 – Pearland, Texas
No. 6 – Lee's Summit, Missouri
No. 7 – League City, Texas
No. 8 – Rio Rancho, New Mexico
No. 9 – Boise, Idaho
No. 10 – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

In a separate analysis of the 25 most populous American cities, Houston ranked No. 12.

The study found 42.50 percent of all housing in Houston is owner-occupied. The median value of a home in the city is $200,700, according to the report, which also pegs the median household income at an estimated $56,019 per year. Using those financial factors, All Star Home determined Houston has a home-value-to-income ratio of 3.58.

With Houston's median household income, affording a starter home in the city might not be as unattainable as potential homebuyers might think.

Texas cities dominated the top five in the major cities category of the report. El Paso took the No. 1 spot, leading over all other major American cities with the highest homeownership rate (59.80 percent) and a home-value-to-income ratio of 2.68. Fort Worth (No. 4) and San Antonio (No. 5) rounded out the top five, following behind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (No. 2) and Indianapolis, Indiana (No. 3). Dallas also ranked outside the top 10, falling behind Houston into No. 15.

The top 10 most house-rich major cities in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – El Paso, Texas
No. 2 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
No. 3 – Indianapolis, Indiana
No. 4 – Fort Worth, Texas
No. 5 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 6 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 7 – Columbus, Ohio
No. 8 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 9 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 10 – Phoenix, Arizona

All Star Home also analyzed the most house rich states in America, but Texas appeared at the bottom of the study's category for the least house rich states, ranking No. 21.

The full report can be found on allstarhome.com.

reports real estate houston sugar land pearland league city

spacious memorial mansion

Striking French-inspired Houston estate hits market for $12.75 million

TK Images for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

412 Timberwilde Lane sits on more than two acres in Hunters Creek Village and is on the market for $12.5 million

A magnificent estate awaits in one of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods. 412 Timberwilde Lane is a stunning brick and limestone home, inspired by French country manor houses. It’s on the market for $12.75 million and represented by Jay Monroe and Stephen Warrell ofMartha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Nestled on nearly 2.5 acres of meticulously manicured grounds in exclusive Hunters Creek Village, this home blends old world elegance with modern amenities, including 24/7 private security. The grand foyer’s soaring ceiling sets the tone upon entry, announcing that 412 Timberwilde Lane is something special.

Consider the formal library, with its rich, paneled walls and cross-beam ceiling, and the spacious dining room with its cozy fireplace. The living room offers breathtaking views of the rear gardens, pool, cabana, and tennis courts. Just off the kitchen, a light-filled breakfast room is a perfect place for morning coffee and admiring the grounds.

The primary suite is the embodiment of luxury, with dual bathrooms and ample closet space, ensuring comfort and convenience. This private oasis is a place to unwind and relax.

The home’s second floor offers a floor plan that can be tailored to suit any lifestyle. The bedrooms are generously sized with large closets and private baths. A playroom with a built-in playhouse castle makes for a perfect spot for kids’ imaginations to run wild. Other rooms could be utilized for a second home office, exercise room, yoga retreat, crafting space, or whatever else a family might need.

The third floor offers a game room featuring a wet bar, billiards area, and a big-screen TV, making it the ultimate place to relax and have fun with family and friends. The outdoor areas include an in-ground pool and summer kitchen, perfect places.

This one-of-a-kind estate offers an array of amenities for living and entertaining. Its location is both convenient to the city and a restful retreat.

Photo by TK Images for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

412 Timberwilde Lane sits on more than two acres in Hunters Creek Village and is on the market for $12.5 million.

home-for-sale