Houston Luxury · West University Place
West University Place, Houston.
West University Place is the close-in family classic: a compact, walkable city of brick cottages and custom rebuilds minutes from Rice University, the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District. This guide covers 2026 prices, the low West U tax picture, what is active on Zillow, and the neighborhood details buyers ask about most.
- ~$2.31M
- average home price, HAR city profile Nov 2026
- ~32
- active for-sale homes in the city proper, Nov 2026
- $0.2222
- West U city tax rate per $100, tax year 2026
Neighborhood Overview
Small-city charm with Medical Center minutes.
Incorporated in the 1920s, West University Place remains its own city, with its own streets, parks and police, wrapped around the Rice Village shopping district and bordered by Kirby, Bellaire, Edloe and University. The signature look is brick and cottage architecture under mature trees, but today's market is increasingly one of full-lot rebuilds: substantial custom homes replacing original cottages.
For buyers, West U's appeal is concentration: everything is close. Rice University and the Texas Medical Center are next door, Hermann Park and the Zoo are a short drive, and Downtown is about fifteen minutes. That combination of small-town feel and big-city access keeps demand high and inventory low year after year.
At a glance
- Inside the Loop, roughly bounded by Kirby Drive, Bellaire Boulevard, Edloe and University.
- Brick cottages, traditional classics and full-lot luxury rebuilds.
- Houston ISD schools, including West University Elementary and Lamar High School.
- The Village shopping and dining district on University Boulevard.
- Minutes to Rice, the Medical Center, Hermann Park and Downtown.
Market at a Glance
West University Place market at a glance, November 2026
Approximate ranges from public sources including HAR.com, compiled as of November 5, 2026. HAR tracks the city of West University Place proper separately from the wider 77005 ZIP, which also includes adjacent Houston neighborhoods, so averages and medians differ depending on which boundary a source draws.
Average price, city proper
~$2.31M
HAR.com's city profile for West University Place in November 2026 showed about 32 homes for sale at an average home price near $2.31 million, about $580 per square foot, across the compact, walkable grid of the city itself.
Typical value, 77005
~$1.72M
Zillow put the 77005 ZIP's average home value at about $1.72 million (updated August 31, 2026, up about 4.7% year over year); the ZIP includes adjacent Houston neighborhoods beyond the city proper, which pulls its average below West U's own city figures.
Active, city proper
~32
HAR.com's West University Place city profile showed about 32 active for-sale listings inside the city in November 2026, a subset of the roughly 91 active homes across the full 77005 ZIP.
Snapshot Active listings, as of November 5, 2026
About 32 active in the city proper, about 91 across 77005
HAR.com's West University Place city profile tracked about 32 active for-sale homes inside the city in November 2026, while the wider 77005 ZIP stood at about 91 active listings. Inventory in West U is thin and competitive, with well-priced homes frequently going under contract in days. Sharcom Realty Group does not claim live MLS data on this page, so Zillow's West University Place search is the best up-to-the-minute view.
The Cost Side
Property taxes in West University Place
West University Place sets its own municipal rate, and because the city sits inside Houston's boundaries it also pays Harris County and Houston ISD. Rates are in dollars per $100 of assessed value.
| Taxing entity | Approximate rate (per $100) | Notes and as-of |
|---|---|---|
| City of West University Place | $0.222219 | Tax year 2026 rate (FY 2027 budget) adopted by the city council on August 17, 2026, down from $0.229441 in 2025. |
| Harris County (combined) | $0.6715 | Harris County's four taxing entities together total about $0.6715 per $100 for FY 2026-27: the county rate itself is $0.41750, plus the Flood Control District, Harris Health and Port of Houston levies; adopted by Commissioners Court on September 17, 2026. |
| Houston ISD | $0.8421 | Tax year 2026 rate adopted by the HISD Board of Managers on October 8, 2026, down roughly 3.6 cents from the prior year; West University Place addresses are zoned to Houston ISD. |
West U's municipal rate is among the lowest for a city in the Houston area, which helps the total bill. Rates are the most recent public adopted figures as of November 5, 2026; verify the exact taxing units for a specific address with the Harris County Appraisal District.
Neighborhood Highlights
Why West U stays on the short list
Close-in location
West U sits inside the Loop minutes from Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District and Downtown.
Charming and custom
The classic character is brick cottages and traditional homes on tree-lined streets, with an active market of full-lot luxury rebuilds.
The Village
West University's shopping and dining district on University Boulevard anchors daily life with boutiques, cafes and neighborhood restaurants.
Houston ISD schools
West U is zoned to Houston ISD, including West University Elementary and Lamar High School.
Walkable streets
Flat, shaded streets and a compact grid make West U one of Houston's most walkable family neighborhoods.
Small city, low tax rate
West U keeps its own municipal rate at about $0.2222 per $100 (tax year 2026), among the lowest city rates in the area.
Comparing luxury addresses? See River Oaks, Tanglewood, the Memorial Villages and Bellaire, or start from the full Houston luxury guide.
What to Do Nearby
Museums, Hermann Park and Rice Village from West U
West University Place's close-in position puts Rice Village, Hermann Park and the Museum District within a short drive. These are the outings Sharcom's clients ask about most, each linked to its official site.
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Rice Village
A walkable collection of shops and restaurants at the edge of West U, a neighborhood staple for generations.
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Hermann Park
Houston's civic park with the Miller Outdoor Theatre, McGovern Lake and a Japanese garden, minutes east.
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Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
One of the nation's largest art museums, in the Museum District just across Main Street.
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Houston Museum of Natural Science
Dinosaurs, gems and the Burke Baker Planetarium in Hermann Park.
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Children's Museum Houston
Hands-on exhibits and a beloved family destination in the Museum District.
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The Branch
A new rooftop restaurant from Beard-recognized chef Chris Williams at Forme in the Museum District, opened October 1, 2026.
Looking for the full city list? See What to Do in Houston, our dated guide to the city's museums, theaters, parks, zoo and dining.
Keep Exploring
Explore more Houston luxury neighborhoods.
Compare West University Place with Houston's other premier addresses, or jump to the area guides, the buyer and seller resources, and the latest Houston market reading.
Nearby Luxury Neighborhoods
Area Guides & Market Info
Buyer & Seller Resources
Talk to Sharon
Buying or selling in West University Place?
West U moves fast, and the best lots are often reserved for buyers who check in before a listing posts. Sharon Yeary brings deep Texas real estate experience and a team that works the close-in loop. Tell them your timeline and they will match you with the right home or buyer.
Sharon Yeary
Associate Broker with eXp Realty
Texas real estate experience, from West University Place rebuilds to guard-gated communities across Greater Houston.
Tell us about your West U plans.
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