During the first three months of 2025, only 5% and 3% of Harris County households could afford to buy a median-priced home in Bellaire and West University, respectively, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ Q1 Housing and Rental Affordability Report released May 8.
In the first quarter of 2025, the median price of a home in the Bellaire area was $1.4 million and $1.8 million in West U, respectively, according to the report.
In Harris County, the median price was $325,000, which 34% of households could afford as they made the minimum qualifying annual income of $100,400.
In the Greater Houston area, 40% of Houston-area households could afford to buy a median-priced home in the first quarter of 2025, according to the report. The median price of a home in the Houston area was $337,400, and households needed to make $95,200 to be able to afford that.
Statewide, 40% of households could afford a median-priced home, with households needing to make $94,400 a year to purchase a $334,900 house, according to the report.
“What we’ve seen in the early part of 2025 shows a degree of stability in the Houston housing market, which is encouraging news for prospective homebuyers,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar said via news release. “However, with ongoing economic uncertainty, some people are exercising greater caution in their purchasing decisions, including when it comes to buying a home.”
