If you're relocating to Houston and plan to buy, a few things about how the city works will shape your search more than any "best of" list. Houston has no zoning code, deed restrictions do much of that work instead, flood risk varies street by street, and whether an address is inside the city limits changes who picks up your trash and who taxes the home. This guide covers what to know before you buy, using the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Houston, METRO, FEMA and Harris County sources, checked on October 13, 2026.

TL;DR

  • The Census Bureau estimates the City of Houston at 2,397,315 people and Harris County at 5,045,026 as of July 1, 2025. The city covers about 640 square miles of land.
  • Census figures put the median value of owner-occupied homes at $277,800 in the city and $276,600 in Harris County (2020-2024 American Community Survey). Use them as a baseline, not a price for a specific neighborhood.
  • Houston doesn't have zoning. Land use is shaped mainly by private deed restrictions, which the City can enforce in some cases, so read them before you buy.
  • Check every address for flood zone and flood history, and budget for flood insurance even where it isn't required.
  • "Houston" mailing addresses aren't always inside the city. Confirm the jurisdiction, because it affects taxes, trash service and who you call.

Houston by the numbers

The U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts for Houston and Harris County gives a quick, official baseline:

  • Population: 2,397,315 in the City of Houston and 5,045,026 in Harris County (July 1, 2025 estimates). That's up 4.2% for the city and 6.7% for the county from the April 2020 estimates base.
  • Land area: about 640 square miles for the city and about 1,707 square miles for the county (2020).
  • Homeownership: 42.1% of occupied homes in the city and 54.7% in the county are owner-occupied (2020-2024).
  • Home values and costs: median owner-occupied home value of $277,800 in the city and $276,600 in the county. Median monthly owner costs with a mortgage were $2,240 in the city and $2,155 in the county. Median gross rent was $1,361 and $1,401.
  • Commute: the mean travel time to work was 27.2 minutes for city residents and 29.0 minutes countywide.
  • Building activity: Harris County issued building permits for 30,909 housing units in 2025.

The value and cost figures are five-year survey estimates, so they trail today's market. They're useful for comparing Houston with where you live now, not for pricing a particular house. For a view of the current market, see whether Houston is a good place to buy a home in 2026.

No zoning, but plenty of rules

The City's Planning and Development Department says Houston doesn't have zoning, but development is governed by ordinance codes that address how property can be subdivided, and that the City's codes don't address land use. Subdivision plats are checked under Chapter 42, the land development ordinance, and site plans are checked for parking, landscaping, setbacks and access.

In practice that means a commercial building, a townhome cluster or a new mid-rise can go up in places a buyer from a zoned city might not expect. What protects many neighborhoods is deed restrictions.

Deed restrictions

According to the City of Houston Legal Department, state law (Chapter 212 of the Texas Local Government Code) and the City Code let the City sue to enforce certain subdivision restrictions. Those include limits on how a property may be used, setbacks from property and street lines, lot size, and the size, type and number of structures on a lot. The Legal Department runs a Deed Restriction Hotline at 832-393-6333.

Before you buy:

  1. Ask your title company for the recorded restrictions that apply to the lot, and read them during your option period.
  2. Check whether the restrictions have an expiration or renewal date, and whether there's a homeowners or civic association that enforces them.
  3. Look at what's around the home, including vacant lots and older commercial properties, since without zoning their future use may be less predictable.

Flood risk is address by address

Flood risk can differ from one block to the next. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows the official flood zone for an address. A flood zone isn't the same as a flood history, so also read the seller's disclosure and ask about past claims. Our guide to checking a Houston home's flood zone and flood history walks through each tool.

FloodSmart's eligibility page says flood insurance is required for a home in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area with a government-backed mortgage, and that most homeowners policies don't cover flood damage. Even outside high-risk zones, it's worth getting a quote. See what drives flood insurance costs in Houston.

Hurricane season and getting alerts

Tropical weather is part of life on the Texas Gulf Coast. Harris County's emergency management site, ReadyHarris, publishes alerts, hurricane brochures and an emergency supply checklist in several languages. In the weeks before this article, its alert list included several named tropical storms in the Gulf and Atlantic. Sign up for alerts when you move in, and learn your evacuation zone if you're buying closer to the coast.

City limits, services and 311

A "Houston, TX" mailing address doesn't always mean the home is inside the City of Houston; it may be in unincorporated Harris County or a separate city. That changes who provides basic services and which taxing units bill the home.

  • Trash and recycling. Inside the city, the Solid Waste Management Department handles curbside garbage, recycling, and bulk and tree waste pickup, and has a tool to find your collection schedule. Outside the city, service usually comes through a utility district, an HOA or a private hauler, so ask the seller.
  • 311. City residents report missed collections, broken roll carts and many other issues through Houston 311.
  • Property taxes. Rates depend on every taxing unit the home sits in, which can include the city or a utility district, the school district, the county and others. See how property taxes work in Houston, and file for the homestead exemption once you own and live in the home.

Getting around

Houston covers a lot of ground, so plan your search around your commute. Drive the route at rush hour before you make an offer.

METRO, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, says its service area covers more than 1,300 square miles: the City of Houston, major portions of unincorporated Harris County and 14 smaller surrounding cities. Beyond local bus and METRORail, it runs Park & Ride commuter buses, on-demand microtransit in some communities, paratransit in the City of Houston and most of Harris County, and vanpools across most of the region. METRO's trip planner shows whether a home has a practical transit option to your job.

A buying checklist for newcomers

  1. Get pre-approved first. Know your price range before you tour. Our guide on how much house you can afford in Houston covers the costs to include.
  2. Decide what matters for daily life: commute, yard size, a newer or older home, and HOA versus no HOA. Then pick areas that fit those needs.
  3. Check flood information for every address you're serious about, before your option period ends.
  4. Read the deed restrictions and HOA documents.
  5. Confirm the jurisdiction and taxing units, then estimate taxes with the exemptions you'll qualify for.
  6. If you're not sure about buying yet, compare the numbers in should I buy or rent in Houston. Renting first can be a reasonable way to learn the city.

FAQ

Does Houston really have no zoning?

Yes. The City's Planning Department says Houston doesn't have zoning and its codes don't address land use, though subdivision, setback, parking and other development rules still apply. Deed restrictions control use in many neighborhoods.

What's the median home value in Houston?

The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 estimate is $277,800 for owner-occupied homes in the City of Houston and $276,600 in Harris County. Current prices vary widely by neighborhood and home type.

How big is Houston?

The city has about 640 square miles of land and an estimated 2,397,315 residents as of July 1, 2025, per the Census Bureau.

How do I know if a home is inside the City of Houston?

A Houston mailing address isn't proof. Check the taxing jurisdictions on the property's appraisal district record or ask your title company, and confirm who provides trash and water service.

Do I need flood insurance in Houston?

It's required if the home is in a high-risk flood zone and you have a government-backed mortgage. Many owners outside those zones buy it anyway, because most homeowners policies don't cover flooding.

Is there public transit in Houston?

Yes. METRO runs local buses, METRORail, Park & Ride commuter buses and other services across a service area of more than 1,300 square miles.

One last thing

Moving to a new city and buying a home at the same time is a lot to juggle. Start with your commute, then let flood information, deed restrictions and the total monthly cost narrow the list. If you'd like help planning a Houston home search from out of town, contact Vital Realty.

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