Is Houston, Alaska a city?
Yes. Houston is one of three incorporated cities in the Mat-Su Borough, with Wasilla and Palmer. City rules and services apply inside its limits, on top of Borough rules.
Neighborhoods & areas
Houston, Alaska and its neighbors
This area is highlighted. Neighboring areas are shown in lighter color. Open the Mat-Su Valley homes for sale hub for a wider map, or pick a shape below.
Areas are approximate – see notes below.
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Where Houston is
A small incorporated city on the Parks Highway.
Houston is one of only three incorporated cities in the Mat-Su Borough, along with Wasilla and Palmer. It lies on the Parks Highway west of Meadow Lakes, where the highway crosses the Little Susitna River, and its city limits take in a broad area of wooded land, lakes and rural roads on both sides of the highway. Houston, Alaska homes for sale are inside this incorporated city on the Parks Highway, along the Little Susitna River. If you want to buy a home in Houston, Alaska, start with city limits, then compare neighboring Meadow Lakes and Big Lake. If you are moving to Houston, Alaska, come back in more than one season before you decide.
Most Houston properties are rural: homes on acreage, cabins, shops, and raw land. Even inside the city limits, homes rely on private wells and septic systems. The Little Susitna River is a well-known fishing river, with a public campground at the highway crossing.
Being in a city means City of Houston rules and services apply on top of the Borough’s. Check city requirements, road maintenance and taxes for the exact parcel before you write an offer.
Homes & land
What Houston listings usually look like.
Homes on acreage
Single-family homes on larger wooded lots, often with a detached garage or shop. Look at the driveway, the drainage and the heating system.
Cabins
Small cabins and recreational properties, some lightly finished. Water, septic, heat and road access decide how you can finance and use them.
Raw land
Undeveloped parcels for building or recreation. Confirm legal access, wetlands, soils for septic and the distance to power.
River & lake lots
Parcels near the Little Susitna River or a lake. Check flood maps, river-bank conditions and any setback rules before you plan a building.
Shops & storage
Buyers often want room for equipment, trailers and toys. Measure doors, check power to the shop and read any covenants.
Manufactured homes
Some listings are manufactured homes on land. Confirm the foundation, the title status and lender requirements early.
Property checks
What we check on Houston properties.
City or Borough?
Confirm the parcel is inside Houston city limits, which apply city rules and services, or outside in the Borough. The mailing address alone won’t tell you.
Well & septic
Houston homes generally use private wells and septic systems. Ask for well yield, water tests, septic as-built drawings and pumping records.
Flood zones
Land near the Little Susitna River can fall in a mapped floodplain. Check FEMA and Borough flood maps and get an insurance quote early.
Wildfire history
The 1996 Miller’s Reach Fire burned through the Houston and Big Lake area. Check defensible space, roofing, and insurance availability and cost.
Roads
Find out whether the city, a Borough service area or private owners maintain the road, and who plows it. Drive it in winter if you can.
Heat & power
Electric service comes from Matanuska Electric Association. Natural gas does not reach every Houston road, so confirm the fuel type and a year of costs.
Getting around & selling
Getting to Houston, and selling here.
Houston sits on the Parks Highway, so the drive to Wasilla runs east through Meadow Lakes, and Anchorage is further via the Glenn Highway. Willow and Talkeetna are north on the same highway. Time the real commute, including winter conditions, before you settle on a property.
Selling in Houston? Rural buyers compare land, outbuildings and access as much as the house. Have well, septic and heating records ready, and note road maintenance and any flood status. Price your property against comparable acreage and cabin sales; start with a home value review.
Nearby Mat-Su communities
Compare Houston with its neighbors.
Meadow Lakes
Between Houston and Wasilla on the Parks Highway.
Meadow Lakes →Big Lake
Lakefront and cabins southwest via Big Lake Road.
Big Lake →Willow
Cabins, lake lots and remote parcels to the north.
Willow →Wasilla
The Borough’s largest city and services corridor.
Wasilla →See the whole Valley on the Mat-Su Valley homes for sale guide and map. Process guides: Buying · Selling · Buying land · Plan your visit · Mat-Su tax explainer.
FAQ
Houston homes for sale real estate: common questions
Where is Houston, Alaska?
Houston is on the Parks Highway west of Meadow Lakes and Wasilla, where the highway crosses the Little Susitna River. Big Lake is to the southwest and Willow to the north.
Do Houston homes have city water and sewer?
Generally no. Most Houston properties use private wells and septic systems, so ask for well and septic records and plan for any testing your lender requires.
What types of property are for sale in Houston?
Listings include homes on acreage, cabins, raw land, river and lake lots, and homes with shops. See current Houston listings.
What risks should I check in Houston?
Check flood maps near the Little Susitna River, wildfire defensible space (the 1996 Miller’s Reach Fire burned through this area), road maintenance and heating fuel.
Can James and Ryan help me sell land or a home in Houston?
Yes. Price your property against comparable rural sales and plan the listing. Start with a home value review.
YOUR ALASKA SEARCH
Keep Houston on your radar
See what is available in the area you just explored, then keep your search close at hand. If you already live here and want to sell a home in Houston, the city outline is a clearer starting point than a general Parks Highway search.
On the results page, tap Save Search to save it to your dashboard and set up email alerts. Sign in or create your account if prompted, then choose your alert settings.
Houston Homes For Sale
The listing content relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX Program of Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (AK MLS). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Properties of Alaska Real Estate Brokers of Alaska are marked with either the listing brokerage’s logo or the AK MLS logo and information about them includes the name of the listing brokerage. All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified for accuracy. Listing last updated: