Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Houston

Affordability in Houston, TX

Houston's median household income is $64,813 and median asking rent is $1,361 per month, with 58% of residents renting their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). Lease Lantern tracks 90 HUD-assisted and income-restricted properties across the city, offering income-qualified renters access to below-market rents tied to household income limits.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Houston Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 1,155 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in how agencies define and report offenses.

Getting Around Houston

According to Walk Score, assisted properties in Houston average a Walk Score of 79 (Very Walkable), a Transit Score of 51 (Good Transit), and a Bike Score of 94. These scores reflect conditions around the assisted properties tracked on this page.

Schools

Houston is served by 792 public schools across 70 districts, including 458 elementary, 137 middle, and 174 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

Cost of Living in Houston

The median household income in Houston is $64,813 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The citywide median rent is $1,361 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), which can be a significant burden for lower-income renters -- making income-restricted housing an important resource here.

Houston has 11,045 income-restricted units across 90 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties listed on Lease Lantern. Rents at these properties are capped based on area median income limits set by HUD, and are typically well below the citywide median.

• Median household income: $64,813/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Citywide median rent: $1,361/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Share of households that rent: 58% (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Income-restricted units tracked: 11,045 across 90 properties

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 90 HUD-assisted properties in Houston were mapped for flood risk. Of those, 6 are located in high-risk flood zones -- a notable consideration given Houston's well-documented history with flooding. If flood exposure is a concern, ask a prospective property's manager whether the building has experienced flooding and what protections are in place.