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For those who dream of owning a lake house, the appeal is simple: wake up, walk outside, and you’re on the water. In the Lone Star State, that isn’t just a lifestyle upgrade. It costs 77% more.
Lakefront homes across the state list at a typical $338 per square foot, compared to $191 for homes just a short drive from the same shore. For a 2,000-square-foot house, that’s almost $300,000 more just to be on the water. That 77% premium runs well above the national average of 53%, a sign of how much Texas buyers value a spot directly on the lake.
Even mid-tier lakes like Lake Conroe (65%) and Lake Travis (60%) command substantial markups for waterfront, and across the 53 Texas lakes in our analysis, every one shows lakefront listing for more than non-lakefront.
Among the 53 lakes included in the analysis, Lake Austin carries the highest lakefront premium in the state. To live on the water here, buyers can expect to pay $811 per square foot, 200% more than non-lakefront homes in the same community. Running through the heart of Austin, the lake is defined by ultra-luxury lakefront homes. This whopping premium is fueled by a mix of extreme waterfront scarcity and the lake’s location in one of the fastest-growing metros in the nation.
Lake Cypress Springs has the second-highest premium at 177%, with lakefront homes at $507 per square foot vs. $183 off the water. A spring-fed lake in northeast Texas known for its clear water, Cypress Springs draws weekend buyers from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro who pay a steep premium for a limited supply of shoreline.
Lake LBJ holds the third-highest premium at 168%. Lakefront homes list at $609 per square foot, nearly triple the $228 buyers pay off the water. One of the Highland Lakes northwest of Austin, LBJ is a constant-level lake, a rarity in Texas, which keeps waterfront desirable year-round and its shoreline tightly held.
Possum Kingdom Lake carries a 155% premium, with lakefront at $490 per square foot compared to $192 inland. Set among the cliffs of north-central Texas, Possum Kingdom is one of the state’s most scenic lakes, and its dramatic shoreline commands a sharp markup over the surrounding land.
Houston County Lake rounds out the top five at a 150% premium, with lakefront homes at $350 per square foot vs. $140 off the water. This smaller East Texas lake offers a more affordable entry point than the Highland Lakes, while still commanding one of the highest waterfront premiums in the state.
Waterfront premium by popular lakes in Texas
| Lake | WF median PPSF | Non-WF median PPSF | Premium % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Austin | $810.55 | $270.30 | 199.87% |
| Lake Cypress Springs | $507.39 | $183.20 | 176.96% |
| Lake LBJ | $609.30 | $227.59 | 167.72% |
| Possum Kingdom Lake | $489.51 | $192.10 | 154.82% |
| Houston County Lake | $350.16 | $139.85 | 150.38% |
| Lake Brownwood | $326.31 | $135.38 | 141.03% |
| Moss Lake | $487.20 | $209.44 | 132.63% |
| Lake Grapevine | $549.85 | $236.88 | 132.13% |
| Lake Kiowa | $406.22 | $177.88 | 128.37% |
| Eagle Mountain Lake | $393.20 | $180.94 | 117.31% |
| Lake Bob Sandlin | $346.44 | $162.67 | 112.97% |
| Lake Nocona | $315.96 | $149.83 | 110.89% |
| Sam Rayburn Reservoir | $320.36 | $162.67 | 96.94% |
| Richland Chambers Lake | $340.06 | $173.23 | 96.31% |
| Cedar Creek Lake | $367.29 | $190.23 | 93.09% |
| Lake Worth | $339.91 | $181.87 | 86.90% |
| Canyon Lake | $350.08 | $188.36 | 85.88% |
| Lake Texoma | $362.63 | $195.90 | 85.11% |
| Lake Limestone | $283.23 | $153.47 | 84.55% |
| Hubbard Creek Lake | $211.32 | $115.22 | 83.44% |
| Toledo Bend Reservoir | $242.14 | $134.06 | 80.62% |
| Lake Nasworthy | $329.98 | $185.50 | 77.89% |
| Clear Lake | $305.83 | $173.37 | 76.40% |
| Lake Paloma | $333.85 | $189.60 | 76.08% |
| Lake Fork | $298.80 | $175.02 | 70.72% |
| Lake Livingston | $264.92 | $156.14 | 69.67% |
| Hideaway Lake | $306.80 | $183.41 | 67.28% |
| Lake Bridgeport | $325.12 | $196.69 | 65.29% |
| Lake Conroe | $291.50 | $176.50 | 65.15% |
| Belton Lake | $300.00 | $182.02 | 64.82% |
| Lake Palestine | $297.70 | $184.97 | 60.94% |
| Lake Lavon | $288.57 | $179.51 | 60.75% |
| Lake Travis | $377.48 | $235.91 | 59.97% |
| Lady Bird Lake | $780.56 | $488.00 | 59.95% |
| White Rock Lake | $513.05 | $321.43 | 59.61% |
| Lake Athens | $287.71 | $180.32 | 59.55% |
| Lake Granbury | $313.94 | $199.84 | 57.09% |
| Lake Tawakoni | $257.15 | $165.16 | 55.70% |
| Lake Palo Pinto | $322.39 | $210.72 | 52.99% |
| Lake Buchanan | $319.93 | $209.82 | 52.49% |
| Waxahachie Lake | $288.06 | $194.96 | 47.75% |
| Lake Weatherford | $326.79 | $224.30 | 45.69% |
| Lake Lewisville | $295.55 | $204.31 | 44.66% |
| Lake Houston | $204.12 | $147.45 | 38.43% |
| Lake Whitney | $251.61 | $189.73 | 32.62% |
| Lake Ray Hubbard | $232.81 | $177.93 | 30.84% |
| Weston Lake | $227.09 | $182.40 | 24.50% |
| Lake Fort Phantom Hill | $236.99 | $193.06 | 22.76% |
| Lake Leon | $248.19 | $206.81 | 20.00% |
| Canoe Lake | $325.97 | $282.18 | 15.52% |
| Lake Corpus Christi | $195.66 | $169.94 | 15.14% |
| Salt Lake | $314.12 | $282.18 | 11.31% |
| Lake Padre | $249.04 | $231.68 | 7.49% |
Based on active listings from the past 12 months, comparing lakefront and non-lakefront homes within the same lake community. A minimum of 10 waterfront and 10 non-waterfront listings are required for a lake to be included in the analysis. Statewide figures use a geometric mean to limit the influence of unusually high-priced listings; individual lake figures show median price per square foot.
How Texas compares to other states
Nationally, lakefront houses command a typical $328 per square foot, compared to $214 for non-lakefront properties, a 53% premium. Texas’s 77% premium sits well above that national average, though it trails lake-heavy states like Iowa and Minnesota at the very top. See how every state compares in our nationwide findings.
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About Texas
Texas is full of convenient locations for any buyer. For a lake cabin, cottage, or a fishing retreat in the country, the Lone Star State is the place to be. There are also plenty of lake houses in Texas near Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The wide variety of lake properties in Texas makes it easy for anyone wishing to get away, stay close, or both.
Lake Living in the Lone Star State
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the selection of prime lakefront real estate for sale. Texas has the 2nd most inland waterfront properties for sale in the US. Finding your ideal lake house for sale in North Texas, East Texas or out West has never been easier. Texas' long-standing reputation for friendly folks, freedom and fun times makes it a great state to buy lake property.
The Perfect Fit
With over 300 lakes, Texas has an ideal fit for any individual needs. Texas has quiet and peaceful lakes with space and smooth waters, fun, lively lakes known for their water sports and party areas, and everything in between. The perfect place for fishing, camping, boating, or getting some peace and quiet is only a few clicks away. To work with an agent to help you get the best deal, look for the spotlight ad on individual lakes or visit our Find An Agent page and get in contact with a lake specialist today.
Best Lakes in Texas
Lakehouse.com is the best place to buy a lake house in Texas. Browse beautiful waterfront homes on some of our most popular lakes: Cedar Creek Lake, Lake Granbury, Lake LBJ, Lake Lewisville, Lake Travis, Possum Kingdom Lake, Richland Chambers Lake, and Toledo Bend Lake. Click on the interactive map or search by city, county, or lake. For those interested in lake house rentals in Texas, please visit our vacation rentals site, LakehouseVacations.com, where you can try before you buy. Happy House hunting!