Houston, TX vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026

Houston, TX vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side

Metric● Houston, TX● Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Alpha Score4637
Price Momentum344
Inventory Health87band 5 of 545band 5 of 5
Affordability3619
Economic Strength3953
Rental Yield5618
Median Sale Price (Redfin)$344K—
Months of Supply (Redfin)5—

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Houston, TX and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Houston, TX leads — Houston, TX 36/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 19/100.
  • Price Momentum: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Houston, TX 3/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 44/100.
  • Inventory Health: Houston, TX leads — Houston, TX 87/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 45/100.
  • Economic Strength: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — Houston, TX 39/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 53/100.
  • Rental Yield: Houston, TX leads — Houston, TX 56/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 18/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Houston, TX or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Houston, TX scores higher — 46 vs 37 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Houston, TX or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?

Houston, TX is more affordable on our affordability dimension.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Houston, TX or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has stronger price momentum — 44/100 vs 3/100.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Houston, TX market brief and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.