Thinking about renting in Houston, TX? One of the largest U.S. cities, H-Town is a great Texas city to call home, thanks to the excellent outdoor recreation and many things to do. Here are the five best places to rent a home in Houston.
| Clear Lake | Downtown | Midtown | Montrose | Rice Military | |
| Median Rent Price | $793 | $1,756 | $1,326 | $1,128 | $1,465 |
| Safer than % of Houston Neighborhoods | 81% | 73% | 92% | 31% | 65% |
| Renter-Occupied Homes | 45.2% | 71.8% | 68.5% | 66.7% | 53.4% |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.7% | 3.5% | 3.0% | 1.6% |
Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a great place in Houston to rent a home, offering outdoor recreation, affordable living, and quick commutes. This neighborhood in the Bay Area of Greater Houston provides residents easy access to Mud Lake, Clear Lake, and Trinity Bay, as well as vast green spaces and parks—like the innovative Exploration Green, a former golf course turned into a nature preserve and recreation area. Clear Lake’s urban-suburban setting offers an accessible yet quiet neighborhood, and the area’s blend of houses, townhomes, and apartments for rent at budget-friendly prices makes it a top place to rent in Houston. Additionally, those working in the healthcare sector can find employment opportunities with the nearby HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake or Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. Or, Space City residents can find careers in aerospace and operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), as well as education and research opportunities in space science, engineering, and technology through the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) in partnership with JSC.
Things to Do in Clear Lake
See spacesuit artifacts, take a NASA Tram Tour of astronaut training facilities and Mission Control, walk through the original NASA 905 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at Independence Plaza, or learn about Mars at the Mission Mars exhibit at Space Center Houston. Become a member to spend the day golfing, playing a game of doubles, or relaxing at the pool at Bay Oaks Country Club. Picnic with friends, volunteer to plant trees, and view over 1,000 native species at Exploration Green. Search for owls on the Owl Prowl Night Hikes, learn about the importance of bats during Bat Hikes, or sign up for Nature Photography Workshops at the nearby Armand Bayou Nature Center. Try the Mango Crunch Salad, Jerk Chicken Sandwich, or Jamaican Patties at Lucian’s Caribbean Grill. Order the Meat Lover Pizza, Chicken Tikka Calzone, or Thunderbird Sandwich at Space City Pizza. Enjoy the Falafel Sandwich, Shrimp Kebab, or a bowl of Lentil Soup at Sawa Restaurant & Grill. Or indulge in Chinese favorites like Egg Drop Soup, Orange Flavor Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and more at Hunan Star.
Downtown
A great area for young professionals moving to Houston, Downtown offers many homes for rent—ranging from modern condos and high-rise apartments to converted lofts in historic buildings. Spanning more than 300 blocks, Downtown Houston is broken down into three districts—the Historic District, Avenida Houston, and Theater District. With each offering a variety of things to do, families, young adults, and retirees alike can find something for every pace—whether it’s spending the day at Sam Houston Park, watching the Houston Astros (MLB) hit a home run at Minute Maid Park, or cheering on the Houston Rockets (NBA) as they play at Toyota Center. This area is also the third most walkable neighborhood in Bayou City, which means residents living in Downtown Houston can easily stroll to local parks and restaurants, while those needing to travel to other parts of the city can catch public transit options from a number of conveniently-located METRORail stations. Looking for jobs in Downtown Houston? Seek employment at Houston Fortune 500 companies like Chevron or Enterprise Products Partners.
Things to Do in Downtown
Show your support for the Houston Dash (NWSL) or Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) by catching a game at Shell Energy Stadium. Explore Houston’s Theater District and soak in plays, musicals, concerts, and more at the Alley Theatre, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, and other performing arts centers in Downtown. Attend events like Pixar Putt, go boating on Kinder Lake, or see public art exhibits like The House (Heart) and Synchronicity of Color at the 12-acre Discovery Green. Indulge in pizzas like the Scrumptious Supreme, Simply Cheese, or Margherita at Frank’s Pizza. On your way to work, stop by for Breakfast Tacos and a Breakfast Coffee With Horchata from La Calle. Catch up with friends over Chopped BBQ Loaded Fries or Sweet Chili Popcorn Chicken paired with a Guinness at Pitch 25. Order a bowl of Sizzling Rice Soup, Beef Steak with Rice Noodles, or Spicy Cabbage Chicken at China Garden Restaurant. Or devour Southern comfort food like Small Red Beans & Rice, Large Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Chicken Fried Chicken, and more at Treebeards.
Midtown
Looking for a safe, affordable neighborhood in Houston? Check out the Midtown neighborhood! Located in the Inner Loop, this electric, urban area offers Houston renters a variety of affordable living options—ranging from single-family homes to modern condos and apartments. With great nightlife and Houston Community College’s Central College nearby, Midtown is an excellent place for college students looking to rent a home. But this lively Houston neighborhood attracts more than just singles and students—young professionals and families are drawn here, too! Bordered by I-69 and I-45, Midtown is a great commuter neighborhood, with easy access to Downtown Houston and hospitals like Houston Methodist Hospital and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in the Medical Center Area. And since it shares a southern border with the Houston Museum District, Midtown residents can enjoy spending time at one of the many museums and cultural events in the area!
Things to Do in Midtown
Marvel at innovative collaborations during exhibitions and performances like River on Fire or Praise Music Sonogram at DiverseWorks. See exhibits like Women Who Served and the Technology Wall to learn about the history of African American soldiers who have served in the United States military at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Play with your dog or gather on the great lawn for special events like Zumba in Midtown or the Mistletoe Market at Midtown Park—or go for a jog or bike ride, play a game of chess, and enjoy public art at Baldwin Park. See rotating art exhibits such as Darren Waterson: Adrift or Weathervane at the Inman Gallery, which focuses on local Houston artists. Looking for breakfast in Houston? Try the Green Eggs & Ham, Kountry Sausage & Eggs, or The Kroissant from The Breakfast Klub. Meet friends for happy hour and order the Carrot Hummus & Flat Bread, Bolognese, or Texqueballs with a bottle of wine at Weights + Measures. Try the Crispy Octopus or LA BBQ Seafood, and save room for Abuelita Chocolate Mousse at Late August. Or fill up on Chili-Fried Gulf Oysters, Shrimp Chippewa, and a Roasted Beet Salad at Brennan’s Houston.
Montrose
Renters in the Houston metro can find a variety of housing options in the artsy and historical Montrose neighborhood—ranging from Mid-Century homes to modern condos with city skyline views. One of the most lively, diverse neighborhoods in Houston, Montrose is home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and venues supporting local talent—such as the Houston Center for Photography, part of the Menil’s collective in Montrose. The area is also a well-known gay-friendly neighborhood in Houston, home to several LGBTQ establishments and the Montrose Star—an LGBTQ entertainment newspaper published since 1976. In addition to being a safe haven for artists and for the gay community, Montrose offers young adults plenty of nightlife options, with over 200 restaurants holding liquor licenses. To top it off, Montrose is a top neighborhood for renters in Houston due to its proximity to the University of St. Thomas, which offers a great education or place of employment for local residents.
Things to Do in Montrose
Hike or bike the trails, take your furry friend to the dog park, or have a picnic with friends at the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park. See a variety of artwork, sign up for figure drawing sessions, and more at the artist-owned Archway Gallery. See art exhibits like Fragments of Memory, Out of Thin Air: Emerging Forms, and more at The Menil Collection. Walk through the Cockrell Butterfly Center‘s butterfly habitat or see more than 450 crystalized specimens at the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Stop by LGBTQ-friendly JR’s for drinks and karaoke—or enjoy Sunday brunch in Houston with a live DJ and drag shows during the Drag Show Brunch at Boheme. Dine on entrees like Grilled Veal Chop, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Chicken Piccata at Paulie’s Restaurant. Have a low-key night with darts and billiards at Rudyard’s Pub—or go upstairs for more drinks and bites while local and famous comedians perform at The Riot Comedy Club. Or try the Mole Verde, Sopa de Tortilla, Tacos Chelo, and more at Cuchara Restaurant.
Rice Military
Located within Houston’s Inner Loop and loosely bordered by Washington Ave to the north and Memorial Drive to the south, Rice Military offers a trendy, quiet residential environment with a mix of newly-built single-family homes, townhomes, and condos available for rent. This neighborhood is also a safe area to raise a family, especially with access to the DePelchin Children’s Center—an active resource for Houston families since 1892—which hosts neighborhood events like the Rice Military National Night Out. Plus, Rice Military residents can get outdoors by planting herbs at the Nellie Keyes Community Garden or going on walks through Nellie Keyes Park. And you’ll find even more fun family events in Houston at Memorial Park, a 1,500-acre urban park located less than a mile away!
Things to Do in Rice Military
Watch the kids slide at the playgrounds, play a game of sand volleyball, and walk or run the many trails at Memorial Park. Attend the annual Block Party, and marvel at the more than 50,000 flattened, recycled beer cans that cover The Beer Can House. See Houston civic leader Ima Hogg’s collection of U.S.-made furniture and paintings, explore more than 14 acres of Southern and Beaux Arts-designed gardens, or attend kid-friendly events and programs at the Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens. Relax with a yoga class or improve your core with pilates at The Breathing Room. Start your morning with an Espresso Macchiato or Iced Americano with Butter Croissants from The Yellow Cup. Order the MC Hot Dog or Beef Pho Real paired with Magic Tots at the Narwhal Jousting Club. Try Indian-Tex fusion entrees like Chicken Karahi, Chicken Fried Steak, or a Bollywood Veggie Burger from Cowboys & Indians. Or enjoy meals like the Vegetable Ravioli, Lemon Caper Picatta, or Ultimo Meatball Wrap at Passerella Ristorante & Wine Bar.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
