Moving to Houston, Texas
The most diverse city in America, energy capital of the world, and the most affordable major Texas metro at $320K median. Houston delivers.
$320K
Median Home
7.1M
Metro Population
Energy/Healthcare
Top Employer
$0
Income Tax
Living in Houston
Houston is massive — 7.1 million people, more diverse than NYC or LA, and the undisputed energy capital of the world. ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, and hundreds of energy companies anchor the economy. But Houston is far more than oil — the Texas Medical Center is the largest in the world, NASA's Johnson Space Center is here, and the port of Houston is the busiest in the US. Housing is remarkably affordable for a city this size. $320K buys a solid 3BR home. Katy, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands suburbs have elite schools. Flooding is the #1 risk — check flood zones before buying. The food scene is genuinely world-class (best Vietnamese food outside Vietnam, legendary Tex-Mex and BBQ).
Top Neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katy | Suburb, top schools, master-planned | $300K-$500K | Families (Katy ISD) |
| Sugar Land | Upscale suburb, diverse | $350K-$600K | Asian community, families |
| The Woodlands | Master-planned paradise | $400K-$700K | Corporate, luxury families |
| Pearland | South suburb, affordable | $280K-$420K | Value families |
| Heights / Montrose | Urban, walkable, trendy | $450K-$800K | Young professionals |
| Cypress | Northwest suburb, growing | $300K-$480K | Families, new builds |
Pros & Cons of Houston
✅ Pros
- ✓ Most affordable major TX metro
- ✓ Most diverse city in America
- ✓ World-class food scene
- ✓ Texas Medical Center (largest in world)
- ✓ NASA / Space industry
- ✓ No state income tax
- ✓ Energy sector jobs (high paying)
⚠️ Cons
- ✗ Flooding risk — check FEMA maps
- ✗ Extreme humidity
- ✗ Traffic / urban sprawl
- ✗ Hurricane exposure (Gulf Coast)
- ✗ Higher home insurance in flood zones
- ✗ Car dependent — limited transit
Financing in Houston
- Flood insurance REQUIRED in many zones — factor $1K-$3K/year
- VA loans popular near Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base
- USDA-eligible areas in outer suburbs (Waller, Hockley)
- FHA loans from 3.5% — $320K median = ~$11K down
- Builder incentives in master-planned communities (rate buydowns common)
- Always check FEMA flood zone before making an offer