77088 — Aldine / North Houston

Aldine / North Houston (ZIP 77088) is a densely settled Houston neighborhood, home to about 54,115 people across 10.5 square miles — roughly 5,154 residents per square mile. It has the texture of an established inner-ring community: a mix of older single-family stock and newer infill, with daily errands rarely more than a few minutes away. Incomes here sit well below the metro average — a median of $52,549, roughly 38% under Houston's $84,833 median. Affordability of everyday goods and housing-cost pressure are central facts of life for many households in 77088.

The population skews prime working age (median age 34.2) and family-oriented, with an average household of 3.1 people. With a diversity index of 54.3/100, 77088 is more racially and ethnically diverse than the typical Houston ZIP. The largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (51.7%) and Black (37.6%).

Put in context, 77088's median home value of $173,900 sits 42% below the Houston-area median home value of $301,548. Both figures remain below the U.S. median home value (near $340,000 nationally), underscoring the relative affordability that continues to draw movers to the Houston metro. Educational attainment — 12.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, versus the 35% metro average — tracks the area's more working-class economic base.

With a price-to-income ratio of 3.3, buying here remains realistic for local earners. The $173,900 median home is about 3.3 times median income — modestly above the classic 3x rule but well within reach for households with steady dual incomes. As a rough yardstick, a household would want income near $57,967 to buy at the local median under conventional guidelines.

Renting is reasonably balanced: at $1,177/month, median rent absorbs about 27% of median income, inside the 30% comfort threshold. The neighborhood is owner-dominated (65.6% of homes are owner-occupied), which tends to correlate with longer tenancies and a more settled residential feel. Annualized, the typical renter pays about $14,124 per year for housing.

Be ready for the drive — the average commute of 30 minutes runs longer than the 28-minute Houston average, a reflection of this area's distance from the major job centers. Like most of the metro, this is a driving neighborhood: 78.7% of workers commute by car alone and transit use sits at just 2%.

Day to day, residents have roughly 112 restaurants, 8 grocery stores, 32 parks, and 3 gyms within or near the ZIP. Health care is close at hand with 2 hospitals and 4 pharmacies in the area. Notable nearby draws include Aldine Community, North Houston District.

Who does 77088 suit best? On the data, it fits families looking to put down roots and first-time buyers watching their budget. Flood risk is moderate here, so reviewing the specific property's FEMA designation is still worthwhile.