Ask ten Houstonians where the best apartments in Houston are and you'll get ten answers. That's because "best" depends on how you want to live: walking to dinner in Montrose, a high-rise view in the Galleria, or trails and quiet in The Woodlands.
So instead of one list, here's ours by neighborhood. Every building below is on our 4-star-and-above shortlist, and most opened in the last few years. We left out prices on purpose: rent and specials change weekly, so we confirm today's pricing with each property before you tour.
Montrose & Museum District
Walkable inner-loop living with bungalows, garden apartments and mid-rises, close to the Menil Collection, the Museum District and Westheimer Road's restaurants. Walk Score 86.
- The Heron — opened 2025, 303 homes.
- Hanover Buffalo Bayou — opened 2025, 317 homes, near Buffalo Bayou Park.
- 1010 Waugh — opened 2025, 340 homes.
Explore Montrose & Museum District →
Downtown & Midtown
Houston's high-rise core, with Discovery Green, the Theater District and METRORail Red Line stops. Walk Score 86.
- Ely at the Ballpark — opened 2023, 228 homes.
- 1810 Main — opened 2022, 283 homes.
- Drewery Place — opened 2019, 357 homes, in Midtown.
The Heights
A historic neighborhood of Victorian and bungalow homes, 19th Street shops, the Heights Boulevard esplanade and a hike-and-bike trail on a former rail line.
- Rye Heights — opened 2025, 209 homes.
- Lenox Heights — opened 2025, 359 homes.
- Emeline Heights — opened 2024, 341 homes.
Washington Avenue
A corridor of restaurants, townhomes and mid-rises between Buffalo Bayou and I-10, close to Memorial Park.
- Heights at 1520 — opened 2025, 380 homes.
- Broadstone Oliver — opened 2024, 346 homes.
- Modera Washington — opened 2022, 341 homes.
Galleria / Uptown
High-rise living around The Galleria, Williams Tower and its Waterwall, and Post Oak Boulevard.
- The Briarly — opened 2025, 399 homes.
- Hanover BLVD Place — opened 2019, 281 homes.
- Alexan 5151 — opened 2017, 397 homes.
River Oaks
A historic inner-loop neighborhood near Buffalo Bayou, with River Oaks District and River Oaks Shopping Center along its edges.
- Lenox Oaks — opened 2022, 259 homes.
- Bowen River Oaks — opened 2021, 400 homes.
- Alta River Oaks — opened 2021, 364 homes.
Katy / Cinco Ranch
A fast-growing west suburb along I-10 and the Grand Parkway, with LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch and historic Old Town Katy.
- Ascend at the Parkway — opened 2026, 343 homes.
- Lenox Katy Grove — opened 2025, 360 homes.
- Territory at Anserra — opened 2025, 318 homes.
The Woodlands
A wooded master-planned community on I-45 with The Woodlands Waterway, Market Street, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and miles of trails.
- 1 Riva Row — opened 2025, 268 homes.
- The Sylvan in The Woodlands — opened 2025, 300 homes.
- Six Pines Market Square — opened 2022, 429 homes.
How to pick the best one for you
A list gets you started. The right building depends on your budget, move date, commute, pets and must-haves, and on which properties have a special running the week you sign. Newer buildings in lease-up often have the strongest offers (see our guide to new apartments and lease-up specials).
That's where we come in. We do in one conversation what takes most renters weeks on their own. The properties pay us. You pay nothing.
DM us "TOUR" or call (713) 357-6339, or start your search and we'll send your shortlist the same day.
Year opened and number of homes come from each property's public listing information. Pricing, specials and availability change often; we confirm them before you tour.