How Much You Need to Make to Afford Houston Rent in 2025

HOUSTON — Rent costs are on many American minds these days, as the average American needs to make $80,949 a year to afford a standard rental property, according to a study by Zillow. In the same study, Zillow outlined how much Americans have to make to afford rent in major cities, including Houston.

Houston is the fifth-largest rental market in the U.S., however the average income needed to rent comfortably in Texas’ largest city is far less than in markets of a comparable size. You would need to make at least $67,731 a year to afford to rent comfortably in Houston in April of 2025.

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Zillow’s “Observed Rent Index” for April 2025 lists Houston’s at $1,693. Based on the median household income in the city, the average renter is spending 24.2% of their income on housing, below the 30% affordability line.

When comparing to the other top-5 largest American markets, Houston’s average income needed is the lowest. To rent comfortably in New York City, one would need to make $144,960 – over double of what would be needed in Houston. Los Angeles would require an income of $118,958, Chicago needs $87,428 and Dallas needs $71,413, according to Zillow.

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The trend of where rent is going is quite concerning, as eight of the markets listed require an annual income into the six figures. Five years ago, that number was at four markets requiring an income into the six figures annually.

Houston’s average rent increase since April 2020 is at 23.4%, much lower than the U.S.’s overall average increase of 34.5%. Miami, which requires an income of $109,962 a year to afford rent, is up 54.4% from April 2020, leading all markets. San Francisco, the fourth most-expensive rental market at $124,267 a year, only increased by 9.3%, the lowest out of all listed markets.

Here’s How Much You Need to Make to Afford Houston Rent in 2025  was originally published on 93qcountry.com