If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Houston housing market—or maybe you’ve been casually scrolling Zillow at 11 p.m.—you might’ve noticed something: rentals are going fast. And there’s new data backing that up.
According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ June 2025 Market Update, both leased listings and available rentals for single-family homes in the Greater Houston area are up compared to this time last year. In other words, more people are renting, and more homes are hitting the rental market.
📈 A Quick Breakdown
4,590 single-family homes were leased in June 2025
→ That’s a 5.2% jump compared to June 20247,117 new rental listings were added to the MLS
→ That’s up 12.7% year-over-year, and yes—it’s a new recordAverage lease prices saw a slight increase too, up 1.0% from last year
So, not only are more homes available, but people are renting them faster—and they’re willing to pay just a little more to do it.
💬 What the Experts Are Saying
“What we're seeing in the rental sector really ties into the overall strength of Houston's housing market,” said HAR Chair Shae Cottar. “We expect leasing activity to remain strong in the coming months, especially with continued demand from people relocating or exploring flexible housing options.”
Translation? Whether folks are new to town or just not ready to buy, rentals are becoming the go-to move right now.
🏠 What This Means If You're Renting (or Thinking About It)
As someone who’s been on both sides—renter and homeowner—I can tell you that when rental inventory grows and prices hold steady, it’s a decent time to be a tenant. You’ve got more options and a bit more leverage when it comes to finding the right fit.
If you're considering renting out your home, this trend might be working in your favor, too. Increased demand plus record listing activity could be your sign to test the market.