Neighborhood in Houston, Harris County

Living in South Houston, Houston

A

66th of 320areas in Houston
Overall score 89 of 100 vs Texas neighborhoods
Houston overall: D+

South Houston covers part of Houston, TX, home to about 5,200 people. It gets an A, in the top 12% of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 66th of 320 areas we score in Houston. It does best on schools and worst on getting around.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Lots of parks
  • River flooding risk is very high
  • Hurricane risk is very high

Closest everyday places

Grocery store0.9 mi
Pharmacy1.8 mi
Park0.6 mi
Cafe2.0 mi
Restaurant0.2 mi
Gym1.8 mi
Hospital or urgent care2.8 mi
Childcare1.9 mi
Library2.9 mi

Straight-line distance from the middle of where people live. Overture Maps.

Population
5,230
Median rent
$2,660
Median home value
$418,000
Household income
$178,600
Average commute
32 min
Homes owned
89%
Loading map

What it's like to live in South Houston

South Houston is an area in Houston with about 5,200 residents, mostly newer homes (median year built 2013), mostly owner-occupied (89%) and 47% of households with children.

It grades A against every neighborhood in Texas and ranks 66th of 320 areas in Houston, which grades D+ overall.

Pros of living in South Houston

  • Higher incomes. The median household earns $178,600, 176% higher than the Houston median.
  • Well-rated schools nearby. 3 of the 3 closest public schools are rated A or B.

Cons of living in South Houston

  • Pricier rent than the city. Median rent is $2,660, 95% higher than the Houston median.
  • Longer commutes. The average commute is 32 minutes, against 27 for Houston as a whole.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes as very high in this part of town.

South Houston report card

Each grade compares South Houston with every neighborhood in Texas. Safety is not graded for single neighborhoods because police report crime for the whole city.

  • Cost of living: grade B-

    Median rent $2,660, homes cost 2.3x income.

    63 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Jobs and income: grade A-

    Median household income $178,600, 4.3% unemployed.

    82 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Schools: grade A+

    Nearby schools average 93 of 100 on the state rating.

    96 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Safety: no grade

    Citywide, 884 violent crimes per 100k, 3,828 property crimes per 100k.

    No score vs TX areas

  • Errands and things to do: grade D+

    Some everyday stores and services within a mile of homes.

    29 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 32 min, 19% work from home.

    21 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Education levels: grade B+

    57% have a bachelor’s degree.

    77 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Health: grade C+

    12% of adults uninsured.

    50 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Home ownership: grade A-

    89% of homes owner-occupied.

    80 of 100 vs TX areas

  • Internet access: grade A-

    100% of homes have broadband.

    82 of 100 vs TX areas

South Houston compared with Houston

Better than Houston

  • Median household income: $178,600176% higher than Houston ($64,813)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 89%47 points higher than Houston (42%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 16%38 points lower than Houston (54%)

Worse than Houston

  • Median rent: $2,66095% higher than Houston ($1,361)
  • Average commute: 32 min19% higher than Houston (27 min)
  • Workers who walk, bike or take transit: 1.0%5 points lower than Houston (5.7%)

Closest public schools

Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings. Check the attendance zone for any address with the district.

  • AGlenn York ElementaryElementary, Alvin ISD1.9 mi
  • ADr Ronald E McNair Junior HighMiddle, Alvin ISD1.8 mi
  • AShadow Creek High SchoolHigh, Alvin ISD2.7 mi

Cost of living in South Houston

Median rent in South Houston is $2,660 a month, 95% higher than the Houston median. A household would need about $106,000 a year to keep that rent at 30% of income.

The median home is worth $418,000, 50% higher than the Houston median, which means a monthly payment of about $3,074 with property tax at today's mortgage rates.

MeasureHereHoustonTexas
Median rent95% higher than Houston$2,660$1,361$1,403
Median home value50% higher than Houston$418,000$277,800$283,800
Home value to income45% lower than Houston2.3x4.3x3.6x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent38 points lower than Houston16%54%52%
Homes owned by the people living in them47 points higher than Houston89%42%63%
Vacant homes8 points lower than Houston2.8%11%9.4%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Houston201319821992

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$3,074
Mortgage payment
$2,288
Property tax
$786
Median rent, for comparison
$2,660

Based on a $418,000 home in South Houston, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median for the surrounding Census tract, or the county where that is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Work, income and getting around

MeasureHereHoustonTexas
Median household income176% higher than Houston$178,600$64,813$78,476
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Houston4.3%7.0%5.3%
People below the poverty line16 points lower than Houston3.4%20%14%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points higher than Houston57%37%34%
Average commute19% higher than Houston32 min27 min27 min
Workers who work from home6 points higher than Houston19%13%14%
Workers who walk, bike or take transit5 points lower than Houston1.0%5.7%2.6%
Homes with broadband internet10 points higher than Houston100%90%91%

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index for the Census tracts in this area.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailModerate
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsLow
  • Strong windHigh

Who lives in South Houston

Under 1827%
18 to 3422%
35 to 6442%
65 and over9.3%
Race and ethnicity
White27%
Hispanic or Latino22%
Black37%
Asian12%
Other or more than one race3.2%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Other neighborhoods in Houston

  1. 1A+Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial ParkMedian rent $3,230
  2. 2A+Boulevard OaksMedian rent $1,940
  3. 3A+BraeswoodMedian rent $1,360
  4. 4A+Washington Avenue CorridorMedian rent $2,080
  5. 5A+Mandell PlaceMedian rent $1,210
  6. 6A+Westwood GroveMedian rent $2,100
  7. 7A+Kings Point
  8. 8A+Palisades ParkMedian rent $3,020

Similar neighborhoods in other cities

Areas elsewhere in Texas with the closest mix of grades.

  1. ACanterbury ParkPearland
  2. ACentral MelissaMelissa
  3. A-South Grand PrairieGrand Prairie

Questions about South Houston

Is South Houston a good place to live?

South Houston covers part of Houston, TX, home to about 5,200 people. It gets an A, in the top 12% of Texas neighborhoods, and ranks 66th of 320 areas we score in Houston. It does best on schools and worst on getting around.

How much does it cost to live in South Houston?

Median rent in South Houston is $2,660 a month, 95% higher than the Houston median. The median home is worth $418,000, 50% higher than the Houston median. A median home costs 2.3x the median household income, compared with 4.3x across Houston.

What schools serve South Houston?

The closest rated public schools are Glenn York Elementary (elementary, rated A), Dr Ronald E McNair Junior High (middle, rated A) and Shadow Creek High School (high, rated A). School zones can differ from the closest school, so check with the district.

This area groups 1 Census block group in this part of Houston that have no neighborhood name on the map. Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency, FEMA National Risk Index, Overture Maps. How we grade.