Neighbor News
Living Close to Life-Saving Care Comes at a Price in Houston
New analysis finds homes near Houston's top-rated hospital cost nearly double the citywide average.
In Houston, living close to lifesaving care comes at a steep cost. A recent study by Harding University found that homes in the ZIP code near Houston Methodist Hospital, the city’s highest-ranked hospital, have an average value of $504,718, which is an 88% increase from the citywide average of $267,854. That price difference places Houston seventh in the nation for the steepest housing premiums tied to proximity to top-rated hospitals.
These premier medical facilities attract world-class physicians and provide cutting-edge treatments, but they also appear to drive up nearby housing prices. For many residents, that added cost represents the price of peace of mind - knowing help is close when it matters most. Yet as home values climb, even healthcare workers themselves are finding it harder to afford neighborhoods surrounding leading centers like Houston Methodist Hospital.
Whether you’re a patient seeking fast access to care, a provider trying to shorten your commute between shifts, or a homeowner prioritizing safety and convenience, living near a top hospital offers undeniable benefits. But according to Harding University’s analysis, those benefits often come with a nationwide pattern of higher housing costs near prestigious healthcare institutions. In Houston, it’s a growing dilemma: pay a premium for proximity, or accept a longer drive when seconds could count.
