The variety of Texas architectural styles reflects the diversity of the state's topography and climate. In the early settlement period, Spanish-style adobe houses were built in southern Texas. During the 1840s, Anglo-American settlers in the east erected primitive log cabins. These were later replaced by "dog-run" houses, consisting of two rooms linked by an open passageway covered by a gabled roof, so-called because pet dogs slept in the open, roofed shelter, as did occasional overnight guests. During the late 19th century, southern-style mansions were built in East Texas, and the familiar ranch house, constructed of stone and usually stuccoed or whitewashed, with a shingle roof and a long porch, proliferated throughout the state; the modern ranch house in southwestern Texas shows a distinct Mexican-Spanish influence. Climate affects such modern amenities as air conditioning: a new house in the humid eastern region is likely to have a refrigeration-style cooler, while in the dry west and south, an evaporating "swamp cooler" is the more common means of making hot weather bearable.
In 2002, Texas had an estimated 8,502,060 housing units, of which 7,521,712 were occupied; 64.2% were owner-occupied. About 64.7% of all units were single-family, detached homes. About 65% of all units were built between 1950 and 1989. Electricity and utility gas were the most common energy sources for heating. It was estimated that 344,430 units lacked telephone service, 42,127 lacked complete plumbing facilities, and 45,614 lacked complete kitchen facilities. The average household size was 2.82 people.
In 2002, 165,027 new privately owned housing units were authorized for construction. The median home value was $94,559. The median monthly cost for mortgage owners was $1,096. Renters paid a median of $629 per month. During 2002, Texas received over $439 million in community planning and development aid from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.