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City Report · TX

Kemah

Pop. 2,168·182nd most expensive in Texas·Kemah rents are up 7.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,522/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.9%
Month-over-Month
+3.9%
vs US Median
-$440
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kemah · $1,522
More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,522/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$61,000/yr
Local median income
$85,357/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kemah's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,440
1 BR
$1,510
2 BR
$1,800
3 BR
$2,400
4 BR+
$3,020
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,800/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,522 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$18,264/yr
At $1,522/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.9% YoY, +3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kemah, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, 34.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
2,168
Median income
$85,357
Median age
36
Renters
46.3%
Age distribution
26.2%
22.3%
23%
17.7%
Under 1826.2%
18–3422.3%
35–5423%
55–6417.7%
65+10.8%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
55.8%
40.1%
White55.8%
Black4%
Hispanic40.1%
Asian3.2%
Education (25+)
21.8%
33%
34.1%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma21.8%
Some college33%
Bachelor's+34.1%
Housing tenure
53.7%
46.3%
Owner53.7%
Renter46.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Kemah, TX has changed in 5 years

Income
$94,286 → $85,357
down 9.5%
Population
1,878 → 2,168
up 15.4%
Renter share
26.1% → 46.3%
+20.2 pts
Bachelor's+
29.3% → 34.1%
+4.8 pts
Median age
42.5 → 36
-6.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $85,357 today, compared with $94,286 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 1,878 to 2,168 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.4% change. About 46.3% of households rent today, against 26.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.3% to 34.1%.

Community

Discussions about Kemah

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View Kemah rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kemah on your salary?

At $1,522/mo, how Kemah rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kemah rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kemah. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kemah

About renting in Kemah, TX

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kemah is $1,522/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,800/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,510/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,400/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($85,357/yr), Kemah ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kemah an affordable city for renters?

Kemah is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,522/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($85,357/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kemah falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kemah?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,522/mo in Kemah. The local median household income is $85,357/yr, meaning the typical Kemah household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kemah?

Rent in Kemah has increased 7.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Kemah rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Kemah is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #182 out of 267 tracked cities at $1,522/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kemah?

Webster is nearby and more affordable at $1,354/mo, which is $168 less than Kemah.

What percentage of Kemah residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.3% of Kemah households are renters, while 53.7% are owner-occupied. Kemah leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kemah rent compare to the national average?

Kemah's median rent of $1,522/mo is $440 (22%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #182 out of 267 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,522/mo, rent takes ~21% of Kemah's median household income ($85,357/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kemah 21%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Kemah affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kemah, TX

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