Zumper’s report reveals Sugar Land as the priciest city in Houston metro with $1,440 rent.
HOUSTON — A new report from Zumper highlights major shifts in rent prices across the Houston metro area, revealing both the most expensive cities and those with the fastest-growing rents.
The Zumper Houston Metro Area Report, which analyzed last month’s active rental listings, found that the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment across Texas was $1,136.
Most expensive cities for renters
- Sugar Land topped the list as the most expensive city in the Houston metro, with one-bedroom units averaging $1,440.
- Pearland followed at $1,340, while Houston and League City tied for third with $1,250 rents.
Most affordable cities
- Huntsville ranked as the cheapest place to rent, with a median of $840 for a one-bedroom.
- Pasadena came in second at $900.
- Texas City and Lake Jackson tied for the third most affordable at $920.

Cities with the fastest-growing rents
Year-over-year increases:
- Houston saw the fastest growth in the region, with rents rising 3.3% over the past year.
- Pearland had the second-highest annual growth rate at 1.5%.
Month-over-month changes:
- Spring posted the biggest monthly increase at 3.5%.
- Conroe followed at 1.8%.
- Huntsville also saw an increase, with rents rising 1.2% in just one month.
The report aggregates listings by city to calculate median asking rents, offering insight into market trends and affordability for renters across the region.