Is Houston, TX Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 86/100
Score 86/100 · Risk: low · Home Safety Grade A · Updated
Houston has low overall risk for homebuyers. Most safety indicators are within acceptable ranges.
Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:
For homeowners in Houston, the repair investment here carries a proportionally contained equity footprint.
What is a home safety score?
Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Houston scores 86/100 with a "low" risk level.
Remediation Cost Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Houston:
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Safety scores vary across Houston's 190 ZIP codes.
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77015 | 62 | C | View report → |
| 77005 | 67 | C | View report → |
| 77095 | 67 | C | View report → |
| 77084 | 69 | C | View report → |
| 77025 | 72 | B | View report → |
| 77047 | 73 | B | View report → |
| 77059 | 73 | B | View report → |
| 77062 | 73 | B | View report → |
| 77089 | 73 | B | View report → |
| 77057 | 74 | B | View report → |
| 77058 | 74 | B | View report → |
| 77041 | 75 | B | View report → |
| 77049 | 75 | B | View report → |
| 77053 | 75 | B | View report → |
| 77060 | 75 | B | View report → |
Home Safety Overview
Houston, Texas has low overall risk under the current model. The average Home Safety Score is 86/100 across 95 ZIP codes. The model covers water compliance, PFAS screening, radon, and annual air quality; property-level conditions still require inspection.
Safety Score Card
A composite view of Houston's key risk indicators:
| Risk Factor | Value | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Water Compliance | 1183 EPA violations across 97 direct ZIP records | Recorded violations |
| Lead Risk | 0.0056 mg/L | Elevated risk |
| Flood Risk | 41% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones | Historical claims evidence |
| Radon | Zone 3 (Low) | Low risk |
| Air Quality | AQI 67 (Moderate) | Moderate risk |
Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown
Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Houston:
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Filtration | $328 |
| Pfas | $492 |
| Total (low estimate) | $460 |
| Total (mid estimate) | $820 |
| Total (high estimate) | $1K |
Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.
Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores
Home safety varies across Houston's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 77015 | 62 | C |
| 77005 | 67 | C |
| 77095 | 67 | C |
| 77084 | 69 | C |
| 77025 | 72 | B |
| 77047 | 73 | B |
| 77059 | 73 | B |
| 77062 | 73 | B |
| 77089 | 73 | B |
| 77057 | 74 | B |
| 77058 | 74 | B |
| 77041 | 75 | B |
| 77049 | 75 | B |
| 77053 | 75 | B |
| 77060 | 75 | B |
Safety scores range from 62 (77015) to 91 (77099) - a spread of 29 points.
Houston vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Houston's overall risk compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Home Safety Grade | Lead ZIPs Over Limit | Flood Claims | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | A | 1 | 119,532 | 3,206,570 |
| San Antonio | A | 0 | 2,159 | 1,860,461 |
| Dallas | B | 0 | 1,632 | 1,372,181 |
| Austin | B | 0 | 3,934 | 1,157,348 |
Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Houston
Before purchasing a home in Houston, Texas, complete these checks:
Water Quality
- Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
- Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)
- 1 ZIP code exceed EPA lead limits - test lead specifically
Radon
- Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Flood Risk
- Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
- Review the claims-only zone evidence: 41% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.
Lead Paint & Pipes
- For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
- For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
- 56% of Houston homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended
General
- Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
- Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
- Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA SDWIS
- Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
- Flood: FEMA NFIP
- Radon: EPA Radon Zones
- Air quality: EPA AirNow
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
- Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Houston, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
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