January 2026 opened the year with measurable momentum across the four major metropolitan markets of Texas. According to building permit data compiled and analyzed by HBW, a leading provider of construction permit intelligence, new residential construction activity in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio collectively generated more than 4,600 new single-family building permits and over $1.54 billion in residential construction value during the month.

While January is traditionally viewed as a transitional month in the annual construction cycle, the data suggests sustained builder confidence in key Texas growth corridors. Below is a detailed breakdown of activity by metro area, including total permits, total construction value, average project value, and the top counties with the highest concentration of new permits:

Houston Metro Area

• Total Permits: 2,145
• Total Construction Value: $659,798,757
• Average Construction Value: $307,598

Houston led the state in overall volume, accounting for nearly half of all permits issued across the four major metros in January. Total residential construction value approached $660 million, underscoring continued demand across both infill and suburban submarkets.

Top Counties (Highest Concentration of Permits)

• Harris County: 771 permits | $275,251,618 in construction value
• Montgomery County: 582 permits | $150,296,512 in construction value

Harris County remains the epicenter of residential construction activity in the region, driven by both production builders and semi-custom developments. From a market perspective, Houston’s average home value of approximately $307,600 reflects a healthy mix of entry-level and mid-market product, signaling continued focus on attainable housing alongside move-up inventory.

Dallas Metro Area

• Total Permits: 1,523
• Total Construction Value: $583,364,493
• Average Construction Value: $383,036

The Dallas area posted the second-highest permit volume in January but generated a comparable total construction value to Houston, reflecting the highest average home value out of all regions reviewed.

Top Counties

• Tarrant County: 594 permits | $215,709,192 in construction value
• Collin County: 459 permits | $183,127,762 in construction value

With an average new home construction value exceeding $383,000, the Dallas area continues to demonstrate strength in higher price-point segments. Collin County reportedly remains a focal point for executive-level housing and planned community development, while Tarrant County reflects consistent production builder activity. The elevated average project valuation suggests ongoing demand in move-up and upper-tier markets.

Austin Metro Area

• Total Permits: 563
• Total Construction Value: $188,478,475
• Average Construction Value: $334,775

Austin’s January permit totals reflect moderated but steady activity, with the total construction value approaching $188.5 million for the month.

Top Counties

• Travis County: 281 permits | $86,986,175 in construction value
• Williamson County: 211 permits | $72,803,300 in construction value

Austin’s average construction value of approximately $334,775 positions the market between Houston and Dallas in terms of pricing structure. Williamson County continues to attract sustained development interest due to land availability, infrastructure expansion, and relative affordability compared to central Austin. While overall permit volume is lower than Houston or Dallas, the capital region remains strategically important for factors including but not limited to employment growth, technology sector expansion, and long-term population inflow.

San Antonio Metro Area

• Total Permits: 384
• Total Construction Value: $112,812,778
• Average Construction Value: $293,783

San Antonio recorded 384 new residential permits in January, with total construction value exceeding $112.8 million.

Top County

• Bexar County:
  • 253 permits | $65,818,598 in construction value

With an average construction value of approximately $293,800, San Antonio continues to hold the lowest average value of all metros reviewed, reflecting strength in entry-level and workforce housing segments. Bexar County dominates regional activity, accounting for the majority of permits issued during the month. From a macro standpoint, San Antonio remains a steady and resilient market, often characterized by sustainable growth patterns rather than volatility.

Statewide Summary (Four Major Metro Areas)

Based on aggregated January 2026 data from Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio:

• Total Permits Issued: 4,615
• Total Construction Value: $1,544,454,503
• Statewide Average Construction Value: ≈ $334,660 per home

Collectively, these figures represent more than $1.54 billion in new residential investment in a single month, highlighting the continued economic significance of homebuilding across Texas’ primary growth corridors. The statewide average value of approximately $334,660 suggests a balanced market composition, with strong participation across entry-level, mid-market, and move-up product segments.

Market Outlook

For builders, developers, suppliers, and service providers, January’s activity levels indicate:

• Sustained consumer demand in major population centers
• Continued suburban expansion in high-growth counties
• Stable pricing structures across diverse market segments
• Ongoing capital deployment into single-family residential inventory

Permit volume remains a leading indicator of forward construction activity, and the data for last month points to a solid pipeline entering the first quarter of 2026. While broader economic variables (financing conditions, labor availability, material pricing) will continue to influence production pacing, the underlying fundamentals of Texas’ housing market remain intact.

For construction professionals, understanding permit trends at both the metro and county level provides actionable insight into where activity is concentrating and where opportunities are likely to emerge in the months ahead. As always, HBW will continue to monitor building permit activity statewide, delivering timely, data-driven intelligence to help industry leaders make informed decisions.

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Source: HBW Construction Data Reports – January 2026