Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in Texas (2026 Rankings)

Buying your first home is a big step. We ranked 25 neighborhoods in Texas by affordability index to help first-time buyers find areas where homeownership is within reach. Scores above 100 mean housing is more affordable than average.

Deep EllumDallas, TX

Kurby Score: 80

Affordability Index: 340

Home Value: $325,000

Median Income: $68,177

Homeownership: 11.0%

LubbockTX

Kurby Score: 70

Affordability Index: 330

Home Value: $175,000

Median Income: $48,640

Property Tax: $1,224/yr

Homeownership: 59.0%

IrvingTX

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 190

Home Value: $265,000

Median Income: $57,350

Property Tax: $2,214/yr

Homeownership: 47.0%

HoustonTX

Kurby Score: 54

Affordability Index: 159

Home Value: $230,000

Median Income: $53,600

Property Tax: $5,376/yr

Homeownership: 23.0%

DaytonTX

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $204,900

Median Income: $59,848

Homeownership: 79.0%

Jacinto CityTX

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $120,100

Median Income: $58,333

Homeownership: 79.0%

RichmondTX

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $193,700

Median Income: $51,832

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Highland ParkTX

Kurby Score: 64

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $1,678,600

Median Income: $249,923

Homeownership: 79.0%

Lago VistaTX

Kurby Score: 64

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $363,200

Median Income: $108,823

Homeownership: 79.0%

Travis Ranch CDPTravis Ranch CDP, TX

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $296,700

Median Income: $73,804

Homeownership: 79.0%

ManvelTX

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 150

Home Value: $300,200

Median Income: $105,188

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

McKinneyTX

Kurby Score: 75

Affordability Index: 145

Home Value: $380,000

Median Income: $92,340

Property Tax: $4,612/yr

Homeownership: 72.0%

Oak LawnDallas, TX

Kurby Score: 78

Affordability Index: 144

Home Value: $380,000

Median Income: $109,884

Property Tax: $5,808/yr

Homeownership: 51.0%

AustinTX

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 138

Home Value: $475,000

Median Income: $75,752

Property Tax: $9,258/yr

Homeownership: 46.0%

Downtown AustinAustin, TX

Kurby Score: 71

Affordability Index: 138

Home Value: $550,000

Median Income: $161,576

Property Tax: $9,258/yr

Homeownership: 46.0%

KilleenTX

Kurby Score: 64

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $175,400

Median Income: $57,086

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

AmarilloTX

Kurby Score: 62

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $172,700

Median Income: $60,628

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

DickinsonTX

Kurby Score: 61

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $215,400

Median Income: $81,739

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

JacksonvilleTX

Kurby Score: 63

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $111,500

Median Income: $49,750

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

Red OakTX

Kurby Score: 63

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $284,800

Median Income: $105,309

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

Rio Grande CityTX

Kurby Score: 61

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $109,900

Median Income: $44,307

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

New BraunfelsTX

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $290,800

Median Income: $85,827

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

BeevilleTX

Kurby Score: 62

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $103,200

Median Income: $47,815

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

LumbertonTX

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $238,900

Median Income: $99,066

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

Sugar LandTX

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 130

Home Value: $387,900

Median Income: $132,247

Property Tax: $5,257/yr

Homeownership: 81.0%

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