ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 77096

Part of Houston, TX

Pop. 35,032·Harris County·566th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,294/mo

Year-over-Year

-4.1%

Month-over-Month

-3.2%

vs US Median

-$638

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 77096 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 77096 · $1,294

More affordable than 86% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,230

1 BR

$1,270

2 BR

$1,510

3 BR

$2,030

4 BR+

$2,530

Research median

$1,510/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 77096 is 5.9% below its high of $1,375 in January 2024, at $1,294 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in ZIP 77096 changed -4.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 3 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($82,852) is $2,071 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,030); a 4-bedroom is $2,530.

Rank in Houston

22nd cheapest of 92 ZIP codes in Houston.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 77081, 3 miles away, rents for 28% less ($933/mo), about $4,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 77096. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,528/yr

At $1,294/mo median

Location

CityHouston

StateTX

CountyHarris County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 4.1% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-4.1% YoY, -3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 77096 (Houston, TX) is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 54.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

35,032

Median income

$82,852

Median age

36.4

Renters

55.1%

Age distribution

25.2%

22.5%

26.9%

14.9%

Under 1825.2%

18–3422.5%

35–5426.9%

55–6410.6%

65+14.9%

Gender

45.3%

54.7%

Male45.3%

Female54.7%

Race & ethnicity

49.1%

19.7%

24%

White49.1%

Black19.7%

Hispanic24%

Asian7.8%

Education (25+)

15.2%

20.3%

54.3%

No HS diploma10.3%

HS diploma15.2%

Some college20.3%

Bachelor's+54.3%

Housing tenure

44.9%

55.1%

Owner44.9%

Renter55.1%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 77096 in Houston, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,328 → $1,294

down 2.6%

Income

$71,930 → $82,852

up 15.2%

Population

32,744 → 35,032

up 7.0%

Renter share

50.2% → 55.1%

+4.9 pts

Bachelor's+

54.2% → 54.3%

+0.1 pts

The median rent in ZIP 77096 in Houston, TX stood at $1,328 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,294, reflecting a 2.6% decrease over the period. Household income in the area moved from $71,930 to $82,852 across the same window, up 15.2% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 7.0% since 2021, moving from about 32,744 residents to roughly 35,032. Renters now make up 55.1% of households, compared with 50.2% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 77096 in Houston, TX look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 77096

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 77096

About renting in ZIP 77096

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 77096 covers Houston, TX. The median rent here is $1,294/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,270/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,510/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($82,852/yr), ZIP 77096 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 77096?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,294/mo in ZIP 77096. The local median household income is $82,852/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 77096?

Rent in ZIP 77096 has fallen 4.1% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 5.9% below its high of $1,375 in January 2024.

How does ZIP 77096 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 77096 is one of the more affordable among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #566 of 693 at $1,294/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 77096 changed -4.1%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.