Houston - TX vs Washington - DC: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 88% more expensive than Houston - TX in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Houston - TX (45 days vs 19), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Houston vs Washington: 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 $3,156 in Washington, a gap of $1,479 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,638 in Houston and $2,407 in Washington, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.0 times rent in Houston and 1.3 times rent in Washington, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 15.4 years of rent in Houston and 19.7 in Washington; 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 +0.7% in Washington; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Houston and +0.3% in Washington.

Homes sell for 97.3% of list price in Houston and 99.7% in Washington, after 45 and 19 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 29% of listings. The signs are mixed: Houston has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Washington has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 3% on a year ago in Houston and up 12% on a year ago in Washington.

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.