If you have ever wondered where Ted Cruz actually lives when he is not in Washington, you are not alone. The question comes up a lot, especially during election seasons, protests, or major news cycles. The short version is this: Ted Cruz’s primary home is in one of Houston’s most exclusive neighborhoods, a place known for wealth, privacy, and political influence.
But there is more context behind that answer, and it says a lot about the city he calls home.
River Oaks, Houston’s Most Prestigious Address
Ted Cruz lives in River Oaks, an elite residential neighborhood located in central Houston. More details about Ted Cruz’s River Oaks house are available here. For decades, River Oaks has been considered the city’s most prestigious place to live. Established in the 1920s, it was Houston’s first master planned community and was designed from the beginning to signal status, permanence, and separation from the rest of the city.
According to the River Oaks Neighborhood Guide, the community covers about 1,100 acres inside the 610 Loop, tucked between Downtown and Uptown. The streets are lined with massive oak trees and manicured lawns, offering a quiet, insulated feel despite its central location.
Home values here are not subtle. Prices typically start around one million dollars and can easily climb past twenty million. The neighborhood attracts old money families, energy executives, celebrities, and political figures who want privacy without leaving the city.
What Living in River Oaks Is Actually Like
River Oaks is not just expensive. It is carefully controlled. The area is overseen by the River Oaks Property Owners, which operates its own private security force known as the River Oaks Patrol. Crime rates are among the lowest in Houston, and residents value discretion almost as much as square footage.
The neighborhood is also a frequent backdrop for political fundraising. Many high-profile donors live here, which makes it a natural hub for campaign events and private gatherings.
Some local highlights include:
- River Oaks Country Club, founded in 1923 and considered one of the most exclusive clubs in Texas
- Upscale shopping at the River Oaks Shopping Center and River Oaks District
- River Oaks Theatre, a 1939 Art Deco landmark beloved by locals
- Easy access to Memorial Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country
It is a lifestyle built around comfort, privacy, and influence.
Ted Cruz’s Home in River Oaks
Public reporting places Ted Cruz’s Houston residence on Ella Lee Lane, a quiet residential street inside River Oaks. He lives there with his wife, Heidi Cruz, and their two daughters. The home is a single family house rather than a condo, which aligns with his move away from high rise living in recent years.
The residence has drawn national attention as the site of various public events. According to Axios Houston, it has been a frequent location for protests and high-profile visits during moments of political controversy.
Where Ted Cruz Lived Before
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Forbes reported that Cruz lived in a luxury condo at The Royalton at River Oaks. That 19th-floor unit made headlines again in 2022 when ABC13 Houston reported the building faced an emergency evacuation due to structural concerns. Since then, Cruz has transitioned to his current single-family home on Ella Lee Lane.
So Where Does Ted Cruz Live Today?
As of early 2026, Ted Cruz’s primary residence is in River Oaks, Houston’s most affluent and politically connected neighborhood. It is a place that reflects power, privacy, and long standing influence, all things that tend to follow senior U.S. senators.
Whether you see that as fitting or frustrating probably depends on your politics. But when people ask, “Where does Ted Cruz live?” the answer is clear. He lives right at the center of Houston’s elite.
