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Texas Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Compare the true total cost of renting versus buying in Texas. Pre-filled with Texas median home price, average rent, property tax rates, and insurance costs.

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Buying Costs(Texas defaults)

Renting Costs(Texas defaults)

Comparison Settings

Texas Market Context

Avg Cap Rate

5.8%

Median Price

$338K

Property Tax

1.25%

Vacancy Rate

9.2%

Local Factors

  • -No state income tax but very high property taxes and insurance eat into cash flow
  • -Massive new construction in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio is increasing vacancy
  • -Population growth remains strong but rent growth has stalled in oversupplied metros

7-Year Verdict

Rent

saves $62,531

Rent — Strong

Net Cost Over 7 Years

Buying$149,194
Renting$86,662

Buying Breakdown

Monthly Mortgage$1,799
Total Spent$318,428
Home Value (yr 7)$415,697
Equity Built$169,235
Net Cost of Buying$149,194

Renting Breakdown

Total Rent$132,223
Investment Gains$47,093
Net Cost of Renting$86,662

Where Buy Costs Go

TOTAL$240,688
Mortgage$151,114
Property Tax$32,374
Insurance$31,301
Maintenance$25,899

What does this mean?

Renting is $62,531 cheaper over 7 years. Even accounting for $169,235 in equity from buying, renting and investing the savings likely wins. The market may not be right for buying at this price point.

How the Rent vs. Buy Calculation Works

The rent vs. buy decision isn't just about comparing your monthly mortgage to your monthly rent. A fair comparison needs to account for all the hidden costs and benefits on both sides.

On the buy side: we calculate total mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and closing costs. Then we subtract the equity you build — both from paying down principal and from home appreciation.

On the rent side: we add up total rent payments (increasing annually) and renter's insurance. But we also credit you with the investment returns you could earn by investing your down payment and closing costs in the stock market instead.

The net cost for each option is total spent minus wealth gained. The option with the lower net cost wins. Keep in mind this is a purely financial comparison — the stability, freedom, and lifestyle value of each choice is personal.

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