Blog > Moving to Houston in 2026: A Local Broker's Relocation Guide
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The short answer
- Houston is the fastest-growing metro in the country: it added about 126,700 people from July 2024 to July 2025.
- Homes cost less than the national average: the Houston single-family median was $325,000 in September 2026, compared with $422,700 nationally.
- Choose your neighborhood by where you'll work. Commutes, not miles, decide quality of life here.
- Before you buy, learn the Houston basics: property taxes and MUDs, flood zones, insurance and no zoning.
A big share of the calls I get now start with "We're moving to Houston, where should we live?" Usually it's a job transfer, sometimes family, and often a couple who did the math on taxes and home prices. Houston is a great place to land, but it's huge, about 670 square miles inside city limits alone, and the right neighborhood depends almost entirely on where you'll spend your weekdays.
Here's the relocation guide I wish every out-of-town client had before their first visit.
Houston by the numbers
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Metro population growth, July 2024 to July 2025 | about 126,700, the most of any U.S. metro |
| Median single-family price, Greater Houston (Sept. 2026) | $325,000 |
| Median single-family price, United States (Sept. 2026) | $422,700 |
| State income tax | None |
| Sales tax in Houston | 8.25% |
| Typical property tax rate | about 2% to 3.5% of value before exemptions |
| Major airports | George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Hobby (HOU) |
Where Houston works
Houston isn't one downtown with suburbs around it. It's a handful of big job centers spread across the region:
- Texas Medical Center: the largest medical complex in the world, with more than 120,000 employees and about 10 million patient encounters a year.
- Downtown: energy companies, law firms, banks and city and county government.
- Uptown and the Galleria: offices, retail and finance along Post Oak and Westheimer.
- Energy Corridor: energy and engineering headquarters along I-10 West near Highway 6.
- The Woodlands and Springwoods Village: corporate campuses north of the city.
- NASA Johnson Space Center and Clear Lake: aerospace and engineering to the southeast.
- The Port of Houston and the Ship Channel: petrochemical plants, logistics and one of the nation's busiest ports to the east.
Where to look, based on where you'll work
| If you work near | Neighborhoods to consider |
|---|---|
| Texas Medical Center | Museum District, West University Place, Bellaire, Montrose, Pearland |
| Downtown | EaDo, Midtown, the Heights, Woodland Heights, Near Northside |
| Uptown and the Galleria | River Oaks, Rice Military, Memorial, Bellaire |
| Energy Corridor | Memorial, Spring Branch, Katy, Fulshear |
| The Woodlands and north Houston | The Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, Kingwood |
| NASA and Clear Lake | Clear Lake, League City, Friendswood |
| Sugar Land and Fort Bend | Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond |
| Northwest Houston | Cypress, Lazybrook / Timbergrove, Garden Oaks |
A tip from experience: test the commute at rush hour before you fall in love with a house. A 20-mile drive can take 25 minutes at 10 a.m. and an hour at 5:30 p.m., especially across the 610 Loop or Beltway 8.
Inner Loop or suburbs?
Inside the 610 Loop you get shorter drives to downtown, the Medical Center and Uptown, restaurants and older neighborhoods with character, but smaller lots and higher prices per square foot. Townhomes are common. In the suburbs you get newer homes, bigger yards, master-planned communities with pools and trails, and more house for the money, usually with a MUD tax and a longer drive. Our 12-month price guide compares 29 areas side by side.
Five Houston basics to understand before you buy
- Property taxes and MUDs. No income tax, but higher property taxes, plus MUD taxes in many suburbs. See how Houston property taxes work.
- Flood risk. Check every home's flood zone and history. Here's my flood checklist.
- Insurance. Homeowners insurance costs more here because of wind, hail and hurricane risk. Get quotes during your option period.
- No zoning. Houston is the largest U.S. city without zoning. Deed restrictions and HOA rules decide what can be built near you, so read them.
- The weather. Summers are long, hot and humid, winters are mild, and hurricane season runs June through November. A newer roof, a good AC and solid drainage matter more here than in most places.
Your first-month checklist
- Driver's license: new residents have 90 days to get a Texas license.
- Vehicle registration: register within 30 days. Texas dropped annual safety inspections for most personal vehicles in 2025, but Harris and nearby counties still require emissions testing.
- Electricity: in most of the Houston area you choose your own electricity provider. Compare plans on the state's Power to Choose site.
- Homestead exemption: once you buy and move in, file for it right away. Here's how to file for free.
How we help out-of-town buyers
We work with relocating buyers every month, including many who see homes by video first. We'll map your commute, send short lists with real tax, insurance and flood information, tour homes for you on live video, and plan an efficient in-person weekend when you're ready. If you're selling a home in another state, we can also help you line up timing so you're not carrying two homes longer than you need to.
Moving to Houston questions
Is Houston a good place to move in 2026?
For many people, yes. The Houston metro added about 126,700 residents from July 2024 to July 2025, the most of any U.S. metro, and the median single-family price of $325,000 is well below the national median of $422,700.
What part of Houston should I live in?
Start with where you'll work. Popular choices near the Texas Medical Center include West University Place, Bellaire and the Museum District; near the Energy Corridor, Memorial and Katy; and north of the city, The Woodlands and Spring.
How much do I need to earn to buy a house in Houston?
It depends on your down payment and debts. On a $325,000 home with 10% down at today's rates, principal and interest run about $2,000 a month, and taxes and insurance often add $800 or more, so many lenders look for household income around $110,000 or higher.
Does Houston have zoning?
No. Houston is the largest U.S. city without zoning, so deed restrictions, HOA rules and city development rules control what can be built. Always read a neighborhood's restrictions before you buy.
How long do new residents have to get a Texas driver's license?
New residents have 90 days to get a Texas driver's license and 30 days to register their vehicles.
Planning a move to Houston? Tell me where you'll work and what matters most, and I'll send you a short list of neighborhoods and homes that fit. Call or text (832) 777-3904 or send me a note.
Sources
- Census-based metro growth estimates, July 2024 to July 2025
- Houston Agent Magazine: HAR September 2026 market update
- NAR: existing-home sales, September 2026
- Texas Medical Center: about TMC
- Texas DMV: vehicle inspection changes
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power to Choose
About the author: Evan Compean is the founder of Compean Group, a Houston real estate team and brokerage at 802 W. Patton St. He has invested in Houston real estate since 2002, holds TREC license 617930, and has helped sell 1,000+ homes over 15 years. Why clients work with us.
