Houston

Houston Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Houston with Jay R. Jordan and Shafaq Patel.

Axios Houston

Standard

Axios Houston Partners

Axios Houston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Houston Members

Membership

Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars

The Southampton residents will be recognized with a preservation award.

News

A group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="0f9d39ba-5a35-43bf-bce3-d19c624159fb" data-vars-headline="Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> neighbors banded together to repair and replace <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic concrete street signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/31/street-typo-houston-concrete-pillars" data-vars-content-id="0f9d39ba-5a35-43bf-bce3-d19c624159fb" data-vars-headline="Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/31/street-typo-houston-concrete-pillars" target="_self">historic concrete street signs</a> installed in their neighborhood more than 80 years ago. Why it matters: Their restoration efforts won them an award from the Bayou City&#x27;s premier preservation society.

Apple brings Mac Mini production to Houston in AI-fueled manufacturing push

The move doubles Apple's Houston footprint.

Business

Apple is accelerating its manufacturing footprint in Houston — bringing production of its Mac Mini to the U.S. for the first time, the tech giant announced Tuesday. Why it matters: The move doubles <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Apple&#x27;s Houston footprint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/02/24/apple-investment-trump-tim-cook-texas" data-vars-content-id="1f4dd05a-ff4c-4eee-bcbc-0fde16ff9366" data-vars-headline="Apple brings Mac Mini production to Houston in AI-fueled manufacturing push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/02/24/apple-investment-trump-tim-cook-texas" target="_self">Apple&#x27;s Houston footprint</a> and is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Houston families are opting for cremations over burials

By 2045, the cremation rate in Texas is projected to be 79%, per the NFDA.

Cremations are now twice as common as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" target="_self">burials</a> in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Funeral Directors Association" data-vars-click-url="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" target="_blank">the National Funeral Directors Association</a>.Why it matters: Shifting attitudes around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="religion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" target="_self">religion</a>, cost and the environment are reshaping how Americans — and Houstonians — handle death.

Waymo introduces autonomous rides in Houston

Select riders who've downloaded the Waymo app will receive invitations.

Waymo&#x27;s driverless rides have arrived in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="a5c04d8b-740e-4c55-979c-fbcf99210222" data-vars-headline="Waymo introduces autonomous rides in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a>, starting with a limited rollout.Why it matters: Waymo&#x27;s debut turns futuristic tech into a commuting option, moving the technology past its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing phase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/18/houston-waymo-driverless-autonomous-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="a5c04d8b-740e-4c55-979c-fbcf99210222" data-vars-headline="Waymo introduces autonomous rides in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/18/houston-waymo-driverless-autonomous-robotaxi" target="_self">testing phase</a> and into daily life.

What 2026 could hold for Houston's housing market

Buyers have more options, forcing sellers to be more flexible on pricing.

Real Estate

Expect lower mortgage rates but a relatively tough yet stable <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" data-vars-content-id="762e7dfd-6a3b-466c-baa4-44a0879a2ec9" data-vars-headline="What 2026 could hold for Houston&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" target="_self">housing market</a> in the Houston region this year. Why it matters: The fate of the housing market is tied to factors both national (like interest rates) and local (housing inventory) — and homeownership remains part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American dream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" data-vars-content-id="762e7dfd-6a3b-466c-baa4-44a0879a2ec9" data-vars-headline="What 2026 could hold for Houston&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" target="_self">American dream</a> that remains unaffordable for many.

How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup

Airbnb hosts could see a World Cup payday in Houston

Airbnb is expecting a World Cup boom — and Houston homeowners could cash in. Why it matters: Houston is hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="d0584cfc-75fd-4be2-990b-b3f5c09b51c7" data-vars-headline="How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">seven matches</a>, drawing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="visitors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/11/fifa-world-cup-2026-single-match-tickets" data-vars-content-id="d0584cfc-75fd-4be2-990b-b3f5c09b51c7" data-vars-headline="How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/11/fifa-world-cup-2026-single-match-tickets" target="_self">visitors</a> from across the globe and pumping money into the local economy.

Houston apartment construction slows down

The city's apartment pipeline is cooling after a pandemic-fueled boom. Deliveries in Houston are expected to drop 37.6% from last year.

While Houston remains one of the top U.S. metros for new apartments in 2025, it trails behind other major cities — including Dallas and Austin — as developers ease off after several years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/10/05/apartments-construction-climbs" data-vars-content-id="ddfa902a-5b49-42ae-b932-b84863c03086" data-vars-headline="Houston apartment construction slows down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/10/05/apartments-construction-climbs" target="_self">historic growth</a>.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s apartment pipeline is cooling after a pandemic-fueled boom. Deliveries in Houston are expected to drop 37.6% from last year, part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader slowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" data-vars-content-id="ddfa902a-5b49-42ae-b932-b84863c03086" data-vars-headline="Houston apartment construction slows down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" target="_self">broader slowdown</a>. Still, developers continue to bet on the state&#x27;s growth and affordability.

Houston housing inventory hits record high in July

Active listings hit a record 40,000 in July — up 38.2% from the same time last year.

The Greater Houston housing market last month saw active home listings hit a record 40,000 — up 38.2% from the same time last year.Why it matters: The influx of homes on the market — along with steady demand — is setting up a more balanced and sustainable housing market for the second half of the year, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Association of Realtors&#x27; recent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.har.com/content/department/newsroom?pid=2195" data-vars-content-id="7cda365d-3bfc-452b-8d61-28335cf95a45" data-vars-headline="Houston housing inventory hits record high in July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.har.com/content/department/newsroom?pid=2195" target="_blank">Houston Association of Realtors&#x27; recent report</a>.

Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report

The region's most vulnerable households are the least equipped to manage and handle a climate-related disaster.

Houston housing is becoming harder to afford and harder to protect, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kinder Institute&#x27;s State of Housing report" data-vars-click-url="https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2025-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2025-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston" target="_blank">Kinder Institute&#x27;s State of Housing report</a>.Why it matters: The combination of rising costs, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outdated infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/16/houston-housing-market-new-homes" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/16/houston-housing-market-new-homes" target="_self">outdated infrastructure</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-texas-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-texas-climate-change" target="_self">extreme weather</a> is putting pressure on already strained households.

Houston homebuyers tap into newer housing

In the Houston area, the median home bought last year was 16 years old.

Houston homebuyers are purchasing much newer homes than buyers in most major U.S. cities, thanks to a steady supply of new construction.Why it matters: America&#x27;s housing stock is aging, but fast-growing Texas metros are building quickly to meet demand — keeping the state&#x27;s homes comparatively younger.

You need a $67K salary to afford rent in the Houston area

An average month's rent in Houston is about $1,700.

You have to earn more than $67,000 per year to afford the typical monthly rent in the Greater Houston area, according to a new report.Why it matters: That&#x27;s about 23.4% higher than what a Houston-area household would have needed to earn five years ago, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis from Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-05-12-Number-of-markets-where-renters-need-to-earn-100K-to-afford-rent-has-doubled-since-2020" data-vars-content-id="eba31be3-b94d-4e2c-a1c9-05d2ded911c8" data-vars-headline="You need a $67K salary to afford rent in the Houston area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-05-12-Number-of-markets-where-renters-need-to-earn-100K-to-afford-rent-has-doubled-since-2020" target="_blank">analysis from Zillow</a>.

Houston HOAs outpace the national average

Homeowners association fees can be a financial hurdle in an already tough market.

Greater Houston homebuyers are more likely than most Americans to face homeowners association fees, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2024" data-vars-content-id="ef40e064-de6d-464b-895c-dd6eff444fea" data-vars-headline="Houston HOAs outpace the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2024" target="_blank">recent report</a> from Realtor.com.Why it matters: For many homebuyers, HOA fees are another financial hurdle in an already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/23/home-prices-mortgage-rates-predictions-2025" data-vars-content-id="ef40e064-de6d-464b-895c-dd6eff444fea" data-vars-headline="Houston HOAs outpace the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/23/home-prices-mortgage-rates-predictions-2025" target="_self">tough market</a>.

Why out-of-state residents buy Texas houses

More than 1 in 4 Texas home shoppers are from out of state, per a new report from Realtor.com.

More than 1 in 4 Texas home shoppers are from out of state, per a new report from Realtor.com.Why it matters: Texas continues to lead the U.S. in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census?utm_term=emshare" data-vars-content-id="f049f7dd-887e-4d99-81ee-8dc39e75da35" data-vars-headline="Why out-of-state residents buy Texas houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census?utm_term=emshare" target="_self">population growth</a>, but the surge in new residents has contributed to a tight housing market in the state&#x27;s four largest metropolitan areas, including Greater Houston.

9 in 10 Texans say housing affordability is a problem

Housing remains a widespread problem across genders, races, generations, and partisan lines.

An overwhelming majority of Texans consider housing affordability to be an issue, per a new survey by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University.Why it matters: Housing remains a widespread problem across genders, races, generations and partisan lines.

🏡 Houston homeowners are staying put

Houston homeowners are staying put

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Houston metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Houston, average tenure has risen from 3.2 years to 8.2 years over the same period.

Real Estate 🏠

Houston homeowners are staying put

What 2026 could hold for Houston's housing market

How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup

Houston's first 3D-printed residential community is on the way

Houston apartment construction slows down