Published February 10, 2026

How Much House Can You Afford in 2026? (Houston Edition)

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Written by Christy Bulerez

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If you’re asking “How much house can I afford?” you’re not alone—this is one of the most searched real estate questions for a reason.

Here’s the Houston-area version of the answer (Pearland/Friendswood/Alvin/Manvel included): don’t shop by price—shop by payment. In our market, property taxes and insurance can swing a payment more than people expect.

Step 1: Start with a payment target (not a home price)

A safe starting point for many buyers is keeping the total housing payment (mortgage + taxes + insurance + HOA) within a comfortable range of your monthly income—then adjusting based on debts, lifestyle, and goals.

Step 2: Use the “Full Payment” formula

When I help clients estimate affordability, we look at:

  • Principal & Interest (based on your rate and down payment)
  • Property Taxes (often a big line item locally)
  • Homeowners Insurance (and sometimes flood coverage)
  • HOA (if applicable)
  • Maintenance buffer (because life happens)

Step 3: Don’t forget the lender’s view

Lenders also evaluate your debt-to-income ratio and your full monthly obligations—not just the mortgage.

Step 4: Make it real with one quick check

Before you fall in love with homes at the top of your range, ask:
“If my payment went up $300/month, would I still feel good?”
That’s a great stress test for taxes/insurance changes and future says-yes moments (new car, daycare, travel, etc.).

Local tip: Two homes with the same price can have very different payments in Brazoria vs. Harris County depending on taxes, exemptions, and insurance.

If you want, I’ll run a quick “real payment” estimate for your budget and preferred area (Pearland/Friendswood/Alvin/Manvel) so you can shop with confidence.

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