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ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 77042

Part of Houston, TX
Pop. 38,721·Harris County·537th most expensive ZIP in Texas
Median rent (all units)
$1,344/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.2%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$621
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 77042 · $1,344
More affordable than 84% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$992
1 BR
$1,021
2 BR
$1,218
3 BR
$1,641
4 BR+
$2,042
Research median
$1,218/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,128/yr
At $1,344/mo median
Location
StateTX
CountyHarris County
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.2% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 77042 (Houston, TX) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 45.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,721
Median income
$59,097
Median age
34.4
Renters
73.7%
Age distribution
22%
29.6%
29.8%
Under 1822%
18–3429.6%
35–5429.8%
55–648.1%
65+10.4%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
34.5%
23.5%
36%
White34.5%
Black23.5%
Hispanic36%
Asian8.5%
Education (25+)
19.6%
24.7%
45.3%
No HS diploma10.4%
HS diploma19.6%
Some college24.7%
Bachelor's+45.3%
Housing tenure
26.3%
73.7%
Owner26.3%
Renter73.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 77042 in Houston, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,187 → $1,344
up 13.2%
Income
$48,801 → $59,097
up 21.1%
Population
40,861 → 38,721
down 5.2%
Renter share
73% → 73.7%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
45.1% → 45.3%
+0.2 pts
Median age
33.4 → 34.4
+1.0 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 77042 in Houston, TX has increased by $157 per month, settling near $1,344 after starting the period at $1,187. Census figures show median household income at $59,097 today, compared with $48,801 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 7.9 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 40,861 to 38,721 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.2% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 77042

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 77042 covers Houston, TX. The median rent here is $1,344/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,021/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,218/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($59,097/yr), ZIP 77042 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 77042?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 77042 (Houston, TX) is $1,344. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 77042 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 77042's median rent of $1,344/mo is $621 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 77042 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 77042 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Texas, ranking #537 out of 689 ZIPs at $1,344/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 77042?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,344/mo in ZIP 77042. The local median household income is $59,097/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 77042?

Rent in ZIP 77042 has decreased 3.2% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 77042 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 77042 is considered affordable for renters. At $1,344/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($59,097/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 77042 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 77042 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 73.7% of ZIP 77042 households are renters, while 26.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 77042 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 77042 compare to the rest of Houston?

ZIP 77042 is more affordable than Houston overall. At $1,344/mo, it's $223 below the Houston citywide median of $1,567/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 77042 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 77042 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,344/mo, rent takes ~27% of ZIP 77042's median household income ($59,097/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 77042 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 77042 (Houston, TX)

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