Houston - TX vs Phoenix - AZ: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Phoenix - AZ is roughly 46% more expensive than Houston - TX in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Houston - TX (45 days vs 38), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Houston vs Phoenix: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $1,677 a month in principal and interest in Houston and $2,443 in Phoenix, a gap of $766 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,638 in Houston and $1,720 in Phoenix, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.0 times rent in Houston and 1.4 times rent in Phoenix, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 15.4 years of rent in Houston and 21.4 in Phoenix; the lower ratio in Houston means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -3.8% in Houston and -4.5% in Phoenix; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Houston and -0.4% in Phoenix.

Homes sell for 97.3% of list price in Houston and 97.9% in Phoenix, after 45 and 38 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 32% of listings. The signs are mixed: Houston has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Phoenix has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 3% on a year ago in Houston and up 2% on a year ago in Phoenix.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.