apartment building boom

Houston ranks 3rd on new list of U.S. cities building the most apartments

As long as the people keep moving, Houston will keep building.

It seems that Houston will keep building as long as the people keep moving here. An analysis of new apartment construction finds that Houston has the No. 3 highest apartment construction rate out of all U.S. cities this year, and it ranks 8th out of all U.S. metropolitan areas.

RentCafe's report, "New Apartment Construction Tops 500K Units This Year, More Than Half in 1 Region" examined apartment building data across 369 U.S. metro areas, specifically buildings containing 50 or more units.

More than 500,000 apartments are in development throughout the country this year, the report found, though that's significantly lower than the 640,000-plus units that were completed nationwide by the end of 2024.

According to RentCafe's findings, 7,770 new apartments are expected to be built in Houston from the beginning of the year to the end of December 2025. That's only 389 fewer units than what the city was building in 2024, though the slower development isn't stopping Houston's ever-growing population.

The report says more than half of all incoming apartments in 2025 are being built in the South, where five major Texas cities are leading the building boom: Austin (No. 1), Houston (No. 3), San Antonio (No. 7), Dallas (No. 9), and Fort Worth (No. 20).

RentCafe attributes Texas' apartment building boom to the state's reputation as a "migration magnet" with excellent job and economic growth rates.

"Southern metros typically offer streamlined approval processes and fewer regulatory hurdles, making it easier to bring multifamily projects to market," said Yardi Matrix senior analyst and manager of business intelligence Doug Ressler. "At the same time, elevated home prices and a shortage of attainable for-sale housing are pushing more residents toward rentals. For many households, single-family (housing) ownership is simply out of reach — fueling demand for rental housing."

Where Houston lands among the top 20 U.S. metros for apartment construction
A separate RentCafe ranking of the top 20 U.S. metropolitan areas (not cities) building the most new apartments in 2025 places New York, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin among the top three, leaving Houston behind as No. 8.

Overall, Houston and its surrounding suburbs are expected to complete 14,439 apartments by the end of this year, the report found. Houston proper is producing a majority of those finished apartments, while Cypress has the second-highest rate of new apartment construction in the metro with 1,343 units expected to be developed by the end of 2025.

Here's how many new apartments other Houston-area cities plan to complete by the end of 2025:

Spring – 1,109 units
Humble – 792 units
Katy –629 units

Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth has the second-highest number of new units being built in the U.S. this year, totaling 28,958 apartments. However, RentCafe says that's a 22.4 percent drop in completed apartments as compared to 2024.

"Even with this slowdown, the Metroplex remains one of the top places in the country for new apartment completions," the report's author wrote. "As such, this dip in construction may just be the market taking a breather after a period of intense growth. But, with so many people still moving to the area, the demand for housing remains high."

The top 20 U.S. metro areas building the most new apartments in 2025 are:

No. 1 – New York, New York
No. 2 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
No. 3 – Austin, Texas
No. 4 – Phoenix, Arizona
No. 5 –Atlanta, Georgia
No. 6 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 8 – Houston, Texas
No. 9 – Washington, D.C.
No. 10 – Denver, Colorado

real estate apartments rentcafe study austin

spacious sandalwood retreat

England-inspired lakeside Houston mansion hits market for $7.75 million

Photo by Aria Media for Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

This secluded, wooded estate is for sale for $7.75 million.

On the shores of Sandalwood’s largest lake is a stunning wooded estate. 50 Patti Lynn Lane, tucked between Briar Forest Drive and Memorial Drive, offers luxury living in tranquil seclusion. It’s on the market for $7.75 million and listed by Inga Laughlin Smith with Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty.

A rare find, this 9,000-square-foot home offers five bedrooms, five full and four partial bathrooms, exquisite details, and striking craftsmanship. Designed by Rice Residential Design, with interiors by Scene One Interiors and built by Corbel Custom Homes, this home is a remarkable example of how modern living blends with the natural setting.

Echoing an English manor, this home unfolds in its wooded surroundings. Come through the French chateau front doors into a sweeping grand foyer with hardwood floors and a wrought-iron staircase. A study features custom millwork, soaring views, and a club-like feel. The bar’s detailing lends an air of sophistication to this easy gathering space. The climate-controlled wine room has storage for 1,500 bottles. A lovely grand gallery links the wine room and dining room.

The kitchen is at the crossroads of the home, anchored by an oversized island, perfect for casual conversation and quick meals. Professional-grade appliances make it a home cook’s dream, while custom cabinetry and elegant architectural details demonstrate its blend of form and function.

On the main level is the primary suite, with a spa bathroom and a dressing room that mirrors a luxury boutique. Upstairs, a secondary suite has a window seat, custom built-ins, and an en-suite bath. Additional bedrooms are spacious retreats, and the game room has plenty of space to relax and enjoy treetop views. Currently, a secondary bedroom serves as an in-home fitness studio.

The resort-style grounds feature an infinity pool and spa. The back patio has a stone fireplace, outdoor kitchen, dining area, and lounging spot, making it a retreat all of its own. Steps lead down to gorgeously manicured grounds with mature trees and meandering paths to the lake.

This home should prove irresistible to a wealthy family seeking an exceptional blend of modern living with the feel of a private oasis.

Photo by Aria Media for Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

This secluded, wooded estate is for sale for $7.75 million.

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