West Houston and Cypress Housing Affordability Sees Mixed Trends in Q2 2025, According to HAR Reports
West Houston and Cypress residents saw a challenging second quarter for home affordability, even as the overall Houston housing market improved slightly, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ latest Housing Affordability Index.
While the Houston metro area reached 39% of households able to afford a median-priced home in Q2 2025 — up from 37% in 2024 — Cypress remained well below that mark, with only 24% of households able to purchase a typical home. The median home price in Cypress stood at $420,000, requiring a monthly payment of about $2,960 and a minimum qualifying income of $118,400 — a 0.5% decrease from last year.
In Spring Branch, affordability dipped to 28%, with a median home price of $402,500 and a monthly payment of $2,790, requiring a $111,600 income. Nearby River Oaks, long one of the region’s most expensive markets, saw affordability at just 3%, with a median price of $3.15 million and monthly payments nearing $22,840.
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Even smaller pockets of West Houston showed varied results:
- Alief: 46% affordability, $255,000 median price, $1,920 monthly payment.
- Memorial Villages: 4% affordability, $3.13M median price, $22,820 monthly payment.
- Spring: 45% affordability, $325,900 median price, $2,390 monthly payment.
HAR Chair Shae Cottar noted, “While affordability challenges remain for many people, the Houston market is showing encouraging signs of balance. Mortgage rates have been edging lower and recently hit their lowest point since April, which could draw more prospective buyers into the market. At the same time, many remain cautious, with inflation playing a key role in their decisions.”
Rental Affordability
Renters in West Houston and Cypress experienced slightly more breathing room. HAR’s Rental Affordability Index found that 46% of Houston renters could afford the average lease price for a single-family home, which dropped to $2,100 in Q2 2025 — down 4.1% year-over-year. For many households, that meant an annual income of $84,000 was enough to secure a lease.
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Local Impacts
For first-time buyers in Cypress and West Houston, these figures mean balancing rising property values in certain neighborhoods with opportunities in more moderately priced areas. While mortgage rates have eased from 7.00% to 6.79% year-over-year, the affordability gap between premium neighborhoods and entry-level markets remains significant.
Quick Facts — West Houston & Cypress Q2 2025 Housing Market
- Cypress: 24% affordability, $420,000 median price, $2,960 monthly payment.
- Spring Branch: 28% affordability, $402,500 median price, $2,790 monthly payment.
- Alief: 46% affordability, $255,000 median price, $1,920 monthly payment.
- Memorial Villages: 4% affordability, $3.13M median price, $22,820 monthly payment.
- River Oaks: 3% affordability, $3.15M median price, $22,840 monthly payment.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of housing trends across Greater Houston communities.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
