Houston is a huge city, and it’s still growing. There’s always something happening in and around town, be it the expansion of some of the nation’s biggest hospitals, the building of new housing communities, or the opening of new restaurants and businesses. My name is Lori, and my husband and I moved here with our three kids in mid-2020. As your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Houston, TX, it’s my pleasure to show you around town and tell you about the city’s ten most affordable neighborhoods.
Outlying Harris County
The northwestern edge of Harris County includes multiple small cities. The largest, best-known ones are Spring and Tomball. In Spring, most rentals are apartments with a few single-family homes, but Tomball has a higher concentration of family homes vs. apartment complexes. This area is mostly suburban with undeveloped forests, large parks and nature preserves. Our family loved going to Kleb Woods in Tomball for the annual Hummingbird fest, and Pundt Park in Spring also offers fun and educational activities for kids (and adults) of all ages. The Woodlands isn’t far, and it’s home to just about every amenity you could ask for. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, grocery stores, thrift stores, and more in the area, making it easy to find and do just about anything you’d like. Old Town Spring, on the other hand, has an old-fashioned charm and appeal with buildings that are over a hundred years old and plenty of antiques and collectibles up for sale.
The TX-99 Toll Road, I45, and TX-249 crisscross the area. Congested traffic during rush hour is the norm and public transport isn't readily available. It can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours to travel from this area to downtown Houston or the international airport. I can tell you from personal experience that you’ll want to time your trips to avoid peak travel times in the early morning and late afternoon, or at least allow an extra half-hour to an hour to get to your destination.
Greater Greenspoint
Greater Greenspoint is an urban neighborhood crisscrossed by I45 and the Sam Houston Tollway. Hardy Toll Road runs along the east side of the area. Rentals are primarily apartments along with a few single-family homes. Greenpoint Mall, once the center of the neighborhood, shut its doors in June 2024, but new retailers are moving into an open-air style shopping area right across the street. Downtown Houston is a 20-minute drive south, but I would take a trip up north/northeast to Humble over dealing with downtown traffic any day. Our family loves Mercer Botanical Gardens and Jesse Jones Park. Both have great year-round programs, but Jesse Jones is perfect for families. Our youngest went to the park’s Tadpole Club to learn about local animals and nature. Our other two participate in the park’s Arbor Day tree planting program almost every year, and we totally loved the park’s Trails and Treats Among the Trees Halloween event. Deerbrook Mall is close by and Half-Price Books is a must-visit store for any book lover. They not only offer discounted books but will buy your old, unwanted books too.
At the same time, you don’t have to leave Greater Greenspoint to find great family-friendly activities. Green spaces like Dylan's Park and Buckboard Park provide walking trails and picnic areas. Buckboard Park also has a unique giant butterfly mosaic and multiple art pieces.
Northwest Houston
Northwest Houston has a charming urban vibe. Highway 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway run through the neighborhood while I-10 and TX-290 run along Northwest Houston's borders. There are plenty of small shops and stores along with retail giants such as Costco and Home Depot. Most rentals are apartments, but there are some single-family homes available. Residents are primarily families with kids and most agree the area is family-friendly and has a strong sense of community.
Bear Creek Pioneers Park is the go-to spot for anyone who wants to see wildlife or go fishing. Other features include picnic areas, soccer fields, a baseball/softball complex, a tennis court, and an exercise station. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Memorial Park, and the Memorial Park Golf Course and Driving Range are just outside Northwest Houston's southeastern borders. Downtown Houston is about a 30-minute drive and the international airport is about 45 minutes away. However, if you’re looking for nearby entertainment opportunities, Cypress, which is about 15 miles to the northwest, is your best bet. It’s rapidly modernizing, and you can find just about anything you need there. At the same time, you can still catch a glimpse of its unique German heritage if you drive down Huffmeister or Telge Road.
Fort Bend
Fort Bend is a sparse, suburban area. Most rentals are single-family houses, but there are some apartment complexes as well. Nearly 40% of the population are families with kids while almost a quarter of residents are over the age of 55. Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road is the only major road running through the area, but the Sam Houston Toll Way runs along Fort Bend's northern edge. Public transport is limited but quickly expanding. That’s good news because I can tell you from multiple personal experiences that parking isn’t easy to come by if you head downtown.
Fort Bend is home to many parks and green areas, but the best-known one is Blueridge Park. It has hiking trails, a pond, and a playground for kids. South Post Oak Sportsplex borders the park and has three baseball fields, a softball field, and other features. Downtown Houston is a 20- to 30-minute drive, while the airport is 40 to 60 minutes away. However, Missouri City, on Fort Bend's western side, is a fast-growing neighborhood with plenty of stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and other great amenities. The Alt-90 Road offers easy access to stores, restaurants, and hospitals but bear in mind that some portions of it are in need of repair. Driving east to west feels like a bumpy roller-coaster ride.
Southeast Houston
Image: Hermann Park Lofts
Southeast Houston is an urban area with an almost equal mix of available apartments and single-family houses. It's possible to find townhouses to rent, but they're not as common. Interstate 610, known locally as "The Loop" crosses the district, as does TX-90 and the Sam Houston Tollway. The Houston Metro system serves the area as well. The northern tip borders downtown Houston, making it easy to get to popular spots such as the Galleria (about 20 to 30 minutes away), Houston Zoo and the Medical District (about 20 minutes away), and the Museum District (about 15 minutes away). Our family loved Houston Zoo and the nearby Hermann Park, but as we learned from experience, November to March is the best time period to visit if you want to avoid Houston’s nearly suffocating heat and humidity. Give yourself a full day to enjoy the zoo; it's huge, and you won't want to miss any of the amazing animals.
Southeast Houston is also home to the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. Over 14,000 young people live on-campus at these institutions, giving Southeast Houston a sizable population of young people. An additional 35% of the population are families with kids. The median age of residents is 34 years old.
Scenic Woods
Scenic Woods is a charming suburban area with multiple single-family houses and a few apartments. Homestead Road and Parker Road are the largest roads crisscrossing the neighborhood, but I-69 is close by on the western side. The neighborhood is home to many families with young kids. In fact, about 28% of the population is under the age of 19 while 20% of residents are over the age of 50.
There aren't many businesses in the area and public transportation isn’t readily available. However, you can't pass up the Tropical Ice Cream Store off Easthampton Drive. The exterior isn't flashy, but one of my daughters and I tried their 50-cent popsicles, and they were out of this world. Downtown Houston is about 10 miles away to the southwest, but Atascocita on the northeastern side is closer and has far less traffic. My kids love seeing wildlife and Sheldon Lake State Park is the perfect place to see birds and get a glimpse of what the Houston area looked like before it became a city. Humble Civic Center always has cool events going on. We went to the Houston Gem and Mineral Society’s annual November show a few years back, and it was an amazing experience. Great places to hang out right in the Scenic Woods neighborhood include Scenic Woods Park, which offers a basketball area, baseball field, tennis courts, and a walking trail; Gleason Park, and Tidwell Park.
Fondren Gardens
Fondren is a small, mainly suburban neighborhood on the southwest edge of Houston. Major roads don't cross the area, but the Sam Houston Tollway runs along the southern end while TX-90 runs along the north. Public transportation is readily available, making it easy to get to and from downtown Houston and surrounding suburban areas. Almost all available rentals are apartments. About a quarter of residents are over 55 years old while an additional 25% are under the age of 18.
A shopping center at the southeastern corner of the neighborhood offers access to restaurants, clothing stores, and other shops. However, most residents looking for entertainment venues and other amenities will find it easier to travel to nearby Missouri City. Downtown Houston is about a half-hour drive away, while the international airport is about an hour away.
Southwest Houston
Southwest Houston is a suburban area crisscrossed by Willowbend Boulevard, West Bellfort Avenue, and Stella Link Road. The South Loop runs along the northern edge of the neighborhood while the TX-90 runs along the southern and eastern sides. There are plenty of apartments and single-family homes available to rent. About 27% of residents are families with kids and there are plenty of family-friendly activities in and around the neighborhood. Public transport is easy to find and downtown Houston is only a 20-minute drive away.
Meyer Park Shopping Center on the western side of Northwest Houston is the main shopping complex in the neighborhood. It has a Randall’s, Kohl’s, Dollar Tree, Walmart and some small businesses. Drive a few miles north on Kriby Road and you’ll come to another shopping center with Target, Ross, Fiesta Mart and more. My oldest daughter and I definitely recommend the Phở 5Plus restaurant in the complex. The fried pork dumplings are amazing, and the pho soup bowls are a filling delicacy. If you don't mind driving a few miles more to the north, the Refresqueria in Rice Village offers unbeatable Mexican ice cream and authentic dishes.
Central Southwest
Central Southwest is directly under Southwest Houston. It's made up of planned subdivisions and communities along with plenty of parks and greenery. There are an equal number of apartments and single-family homes available to rent. Public transport is available at Brentwood on the central/northern side and Missouri Park and Ride is just outside the neighborhood's western edge. TX-90 runs along the northern border, TX-288 runs along the eastern edge, and the Sam Houston Tollway runs along the southern edge. Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road runs through the western side of the neighborhood.
Downtown Houston is a 20-minute drive away. The international airport is 45 to 60 minutes away. Notable local amenities include Wildcat Golf Club, Brentwood Park, and Blue Ridge Park. The SaberCats Stadium hosts sports and non-sports events throughout the year, as does Monumental Plaza Garibaldi. About 38% of residents are families with kids, while people over the age of 55 make up 22% of the population.
Brookhollow-Inwood
Brookhollow-Inwood is a suburban area on the northwestern side of Houston. West Tidwell Road, West Little York Road, and Fairbanks North Houston Road crisscross the area. The western side is home to numerous hotels and shopping venues, including Brookhollow Marketplace. Inwood, on the eastern side, is a dense suburban area with more apartments than single-family homes. T.C. Jester Park runs north to south and includes a disc golf course, dog park, pool, playground equipment, and trails. There are plenty of public transport options. About 36% of households are families with children and 21% of the population is over the age of 55.
The Brookhollow-Inwood area is only 20 minutes from downtown Houston and about half an hour from the Houston Museum District. Memorial Park is just 10 minutes away. A bit south of Memorial Park is Westheimer Road and its old-fashioned architecture and host of small businesses offer a glimpse of what Houston looked and felt like in decades past. Unfortunately, road congestion on the 610 makes it hard to get to these fun spots, which is why I recommend driving north to Aldine, Jersey Village or Cypress if you want to shop or get a bite to eat.
Houston is more expensive than the Texas average. However, since the cost of living in Texas is about 7% less than the national average, it’s not hard to find good deals on groceries (especially at Aldi) and gas (if you travel outside the Houston downtown area to suburban areas). Real estate values are going through the roof, especially if you want to buy a home, but there are still plenty of affordable places to rent if you know where to look, making it easy for individuals of all ages and walks of life to find a spot that fits their needs, lifestyle, and budget. Find your perfect new home today with our large assortment of cheap Houston apartments for rent, and we'll work with you to find the perfect place to live.
