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Moving to
West University Place.
The Census tops out at $3,500+ for rent and $250,000+ for household income; it doesn't publish exact figures above those.
What it's like to live in West University Place
West University Place is a small city in Texas with household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. West University Place deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
How West University Place compares
Median household income
The Census tops out at $250,000+ for household income; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
Median rent (per month)
The Census tops out at $3,500+ for rent; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
Median home value
What it takes to move to West University Place
Based on West University Place's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$7,002
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $140,040 a year
- 17% of West University Place renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$294,400
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $147,200
- Homes cost 5.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingCensus top category
$3,500+/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $3,500+ a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $1,472,000. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $1,472,000 · 17% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.5% county unemployment
Unemployment in Harris County is 4.5%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Harris County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 90% below US
33 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 1060/100k · West University Place Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 25% below US
20 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.6 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 23% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 93°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 46°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 151% above US
90% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
1 public school inside the boundary
There is 1 public school inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Big Thicket National Preserve (81 miles away).
Bottom line
West University Place's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (23% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
See all the data for West University Place →·All Texas cities →
Other places near West University Place
All Texas guides →Moving to Houston →
6 mi away · pop. 2,328,253
Rent $1,361/mo · Income $64,813
Compare with West University Place →Moving to Stafford →
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Rent $1,519/mo · Income $87,432
Compare with West University Place →Moving to Galena Park →
12 mi away · pop. 10,487
Rent $1,184/mo · Income $51,220
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