FHA mortgage insurance premiums are set by HUD and are the same at every lender, so compare FHA lenders on rate, lender fees and points using their Loan Estimates.
Houston, Texas: 2026 Market Data
📊 LOCAL MARKET DATA
- Median household income (Houston): $64,813
- Median owner-occupied home value (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year): $277,800
- FHA share of mortgage originations (Harris County, HMDA 2025): 20.6%
- Conventional share of mortgage originations (Harris County, HMDA 2025): 73.1%
- Median real estate taxes paid by homeowners (Harris County, ACS 2024 5-year): $4,489 a year
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, HMDA
FHA Loans in Houston: 2026 Market Snapshot
Houston's housing market gives buyers a range of financing options to weigh. The median owner-occupied home value in Houston is $277,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year). In 2025, 73.1% of Harris County mortgage originations were conventional loans, 20.6% were FHA and 5.9% were VA (CFPB/FFIEC HMDA). The right path depends on your credit, your down payment, and your plans, so it pays to compare both with more than one lender. Harris County homeowners paid a median $4,489 a year in real estate taxes (Census ACS 2024 5-year), about 1.6% of the county's $276,600 median owner-occupied home value in the same survey. Several established lenders serve Houston borrowers, including JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, along with regional banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage brokers. Instead of assuming a familiar name is automatically cheapest, gather quotes from several, compare the interest rate against fees and closing costs, and ask each lender for a full cost breakdown so you can see which offer works best for your situation.
Average Loan Amount in Houston and the Conforming Limit Question
The average (mean) loan amount in Harris County was $374,000 in 2025 (CFPB/FFIEC HMDA). That average tells you something useful: the bulk of activity happens in the moderate price band where FHA financing shines. The FHA loan limit for Harris County tends to sit above this median, giving buyers room to move up without hitting a ceiling. For most Houston households, the question isn't whether you'll exceed conforming limits, it's how to optimize the loan you're already eligible for. That said, if you're eyeing pricier pockets like the Heights or West University, you can brush against higher thresholds, and at that point comparing FHA limits to conventional conforming caps becomes worthwhile. For the median buyer, though, the takeaway is reassuring: your loan amount fits well within standard financing structures, keeping your options broad.
Harris County Data for Houston Home Buyers
Lenders reported 62,641 mortgage originations in Harris County in 2025, and 9.1% of the county's residential structures are in a FEMA special flood hazard area.
| Data point | Harris County | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage originations, 2025 | 62,641 | CFPB/FFIEC HMDA, 2025 data |
| Residential structures in a FEMA special flood hazard area | 113,215 of 1,245,880 (9.1%) | FEMA NFIP penetration rates, as of August 3, 2026 |
| NFIP policies in force in that area | 54,764 (48.4% FEMA penetration rate) | FEMA NFIP penetration rates, as of August 3, 2026 |
| Median household income | $74,983 | U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B19013 |
| Population | 4,838,303 | U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B01003 |
