Investor-friendly real estate agents in Katy, TX
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Katy is Houston's family suburb out west along I-10: master-planned communities, newer houses and Katy ISD, which is the main reason tenants choose it. Most "Katy" addresses aren't in the small City of Katy at all; they're in unincorporated Harris, Fort Bend or Waller County, which changes the rules and the tax bill. And the tax bill is the thing to watch: many Katy subdivisions sit in municipal utility districts (MUDs) whose tax stacks on top of the county and Katy ISD, so two similar houses can carry very different costs. The figures on this page are for the whole Houston metro. Our two vetted partners cover Katy and greater Houston.
Newer single-family rentals in master-planned communities, where Katy ISD draws long-staying family tenants.
Deals found through Houston-area wholesaler relationships, from a partner with 100+ wholesale contracts behind him.
Is Katy worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Houston metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5,946,825 |
| 2011 | 6,054,200 |
| 2012 | 6,179,862 |
| 2013 | 6,322,916 |
| 2014 | 6,493,223 |
| 2015 | 6,663,204 |
| 2016 | 6,797,263 |
| 2017 | 6,888,415 |
| 2018 | 6,963,003 |
| 2019 | 7,050,007 |
| 2020 | 7,169,284 |
| 2021 | 7,248,044 |
| 2022 | 7,406,285 |
| 2023 | 7,587,646 |
| 2024 | 7,777,907 |
| 2025 | 7,904,627 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | +23,581 |
| 2012 | +39,042 |
| 2013 | +54,770 |
| 2014 | +66,988 |
| 2015 | +62,064 |
| 2016 | +27,136 |
| 2017 | -9,472 |
| 2018 | -10,274 |
| 2019 | +6,028 |
| 2020 | +19,760 |
| 2021 | +26,259 |
| 2022 | +37,649 |
| 2023 | +40,015 |
| 2024 | +20,136 |
| 2025 | +7,308 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,569,700 |
| 2011 | 2,636,800 |
| 2012 | 2,740,300 |
| 2013 | 2,842,300 |
| 2014 | 2,941,400 |
| 2015 | 2,994,900 |
| 2016 | 2,994,400 |
| 2017 | 3,022,100 |
| 2018 | 3,089,700 |
| 2019 | 3,162,000 |
| 2020 | 3,002,400 |
| 2021 | 3,074,400 |
| 2022 | 3,252,100 |
| 2023 | 3,376,900 |
| 2024 | 3,436,400 |
| 2025 | 3,470,700 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $1,233/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $1,229/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $1,286/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $1,309/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $1,335/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $1,350/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $1,501/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,566/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,600/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,629/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,629/mo |
| Aug 2026 | $1,643/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $150,122 |
| Dec 2011 | $144,583 |
| Dec 2012 | $147,316 |
| Dec 2013 | $161,423 |
| Dec 2014 | $179,597 |
| Dec 2015 | $196,221 |
| Dec 2016 | $204,936 |
| Dec 2017 | $212,137 |
| Dec 2018 | $221,709 |
| Dec 2019 | $229,315 |
| Dec 2020 | $243,567 |
| Dec 2021 | $283,207 |
| Dec 2022 | $317,518 |
| Dec 2023 | $314,822 |
| Dec 2024 | $316,308 |
| Dec 2025 | $309,914 |
| Aug 2026 | $305,001 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | 13.3× |
| Dec 2016 | 13.9× |
| Dec 2017 | 13.7× |
| Dec 2018 | 14.1× |
| Dec 2019 | 14.3× |
| Dec 2020 | 15.0× |
| Dec 2021 | 15.7× |
| Dec 2022 | 16.9× |
| Dec 2023 | 16.4× |
| Dec 2024 | 16.2× |
| Dec 2025 | 15.9× |
| Aug 2026 | 15.5× |
Data retrieved October 15, 2026. Figures cover the Houston metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Katy
Zillow Home Value Index, Houston metro, Aug 2026 (−1.9% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Aug 2026 (+0.1% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values −1.9%, rents +0.1%.
Texas landlord-tenant basics
Texas is one of the more landlord-friendly states, and the law is statewide: cities can't add rent control. Eviction procedure changed on January 1, 2026 (SB 38), so guides written before then are out of date on notice delivery and court timelines. The points investors ask about most:
- No rent control: cities may only regulate rent after a disaster declaration and with the governor's approval (Local Government Code § 214.902). There's no statewide cap on increases; the lease controls, and month-to-month tenancies change terms with a month's notice.
- Eviction: a written notice to vacate (or, for unpaid rent, to pay or vacate) is required before filing, with 3 days' notice unless the lease sets a different period (Property Code § 24.005). SB 38, for suits filed on or after January 1, 2026, changed how that notice can be delivered and sped up the court process. Use a current form or an eviction attorney.
- Security deposit: refund it, with a written itemized list of deductions, within 30 days after the tenant moves out (§§ 92.103–92.104). You don't have to until the tenant gives a written forwarding address (§ 92.107). Withholding in bad faith costs $100 plus three times the amount withheld, plus attorney's fees.
- Late fees must be in a written lease and can't be charged until rent is unpaid two full days after the due date. A fee of up to 12% of monthly rent (buildings of 4 units or fewer) or 10% (larger buildings) is presumed reasonable (§ 92.019).
- Repairs: if a tenant who is current on rent gives notice of a condition that materially affects health or safety, and you don't make a diligent effort to repair within a reasonable time (7 days is presumed reasonable), the tenant can end the lease, repair and deduct, or sue (§§ 92.056–92.0561).
- Texas has no statute setting a notice period for landlord entry. Put an entry clause in your lease.
Short-term rental rules in Katy
Rules depend on which side of the city line the property is on. The City of Katy adopted a short-term rental permit ordinance in March 2023; most of greater Katy is unincorporated county land, where there's no city permit.
- Inside the City of Katy, an STR permit is required, with inspections at application and renewal, proof of liability insurance, hotel tax registration, and a site plan and floor plan. Events and weddings aren't allowed. Get the current application and fees from the city's planning department.
- City of Katy properties owe city hotel tax on top of the 6% state tax; owners file with the city.
- In unincorporated Harris County, county hotel tax and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority tax apply on top of the state's 6%. Fort Bend and Waller county portions differ; check with each county tax office.
- Almost every master-planned community in Katy has an HOA, and many prohibit rentals under 30 days. Read the deed restrictions before you buy.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Houston metro; City of Katy — Forms center (short-term rental application, hotel tax forms); Community Impact — City of Katy adopts STR regulations (2023); City of Katy — Tax information; Katy ISD — Tax rate; Harris County Tax Office — Hotel occupancy tax; Texas Water Code § 49.452 — MUD notice to purchasers; Texas Property Code ch. 92 — Residential tenancies; Texas Property Code ch. 24 — Forcible entry and detainer; Texas Local Government Code § 214.902 — Rent control; SB 38 (89th Legislature, 2025) — Eviction procedure, enrolled text; Texas Comptroller — Hotel occupancy tax.
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Questions investors ask about Katy
Who will I work with in Katy?
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We have two vetted partners who name Katy in their service areas. One covers greater Houston within about 60 miles and came up through wholesale acquisitions, so he's strong on off-market deals; the other is a high-volume agent who also covers Austin and San Antonio. We match you with the one that fits your deal.
What is a MUD, and why does it matter in Katy?
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A municipal utility district builds and runs a subdivision's water, sewer and drainage and pays for it with its own property tax. Much of Katy is in MUDs, and the MUD rate is added to the county and Katy ISD taxes, which can push the total toward 3% of value in newer subdivisions. Sellers must give you a MUD notice; check the full rate for the exact parcel before you make an offer.
Is Katy a good rental market?
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For tenant quality, yes: families move to Katy for the schools and tend to stay. For cash flow, it's tougher than Houston proper because homes cost more and MUD taxes are common. Buy below market or with a larger down payment, and underwrite with the real tax rate.
Can I run an Airbnb in Katy?
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Inside the City of Katy you need a city STR permit with inspections and insurance. Most Katy addresses are in unincorporated Harris, Fort Bend or Waller County, where there's no city permit but hotel taxes still apply. Either way, most Katy HOAs restrict short-term rentals, so check the deed restrictions first.
Why do the charts show the Houston metro?
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Katy doesn't have its own metro area in Census, BLS or Zillow data. It's part of the Houston metro, so the trends on this page cover the whole region. Katy's newer homes typically sell above the metro median; ask your agent for Katy-specific comps.
Is Texas landlord-friendly?
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Yes. Cities can't impose rent control, there's no cap on rent increases, evictions start with a 3-day notice to vacate unless the lease says otherwise, and deposits are due back within 30 days of move-out once the tenant gives a forwarding address. The catch is property tax: Texas has no state income tax and leans on property tax instead, so expect annual bills of roughly 2% of assessed value in most of these metros. That, plus insurance, is what usually breaks Texas rental math.
What does it cost to get matched with a Katy agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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