Houston Rental Inventory Hits Record High as Lease Prices Hold Steady in October 2025
Houston’s rental market reached a major milestone in October 2025, offering renters the highest level of inventory on record, according to the latest Rental Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). For those seeking a lease home or condo, the month delivered a rare mix of expanded options and stable pricing—a welcome treat for renters across the city.
Record Inventory Meets Steady Demand
The number of single-family homes leased in October hit 3,725, up 9.0% from the 3,417 homes leased in October 2024. This jump in activity was fueled by an unprecedented surge in inventory, with 11,749 single-family rental homes available—surpassing the previous record set just one month earlier in September. It’s the highest number of single-family rental options ever documented by HAR.
Despite the abundance of choices, lease prices remained surprisingly stable. The average rent for a single-family home in October was $2,262—a slight 0.5% increase over last year’s $2,251 and the fourth consecutive month of flat pricing. In fact, it’s the lowest average lease price since February 2025, when it dipped to $2,243.
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Rental Market Signals Balance, Opportunity
“Houston is currently seeing record-high inventory, steady pricing and strong demand, which are all signs of a healthy rental market,” said HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty. “With many economists expecting mortgage rates to improve next year, we may see more renters transition into homeownership. People who have been waiting on the sidelines could find themselves in a better position to buy in the coming months.”
A total of 7,122 new single-family rental listings were added to the MLS in October—marking a 20.0% year-over-year increase. However, these homes are staying on the market slightly longer, with average Days on Market (DOM) rising from 36 days last year to 39 days this October.
Townhome and Condo Rentals See Moderate Growth
The city’s townhome and condominium rental sector also experienced growth, albeit more modest. A total of 584 townhome and condo units were leased in October—up 4.3% from the 560 leased a year ago. Interestingly, renters in this segment enjoyed a dip in average lease prices, which fell 3.2% to $1,867 from $1,929 in October 2024.
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New listings of townhomes and condos increased 4.7% year-over-year, climbing from 1,076 to 1,127 units. Active listings in this category saw an even more dramatic spike, jumping 24.0% to 2,313 available units. However, similar to the single-family market, properties took longer to lease with average DOM growing from 42 to 47 days.
As Houston’s rental landscape shifts, renters across the metro area—from the Heights to Katy, Midtown to Sugar Land—are encouraged to explore the expanding pool of listings and take advantage of the balanced market conditions. With more homes and condos to choose from and prices largely holding steady, October 2025 delivered a rare moment of opportunity for renters in one of the most dynamic housing markets in Texas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
