Rent vs Buy in Houston, TX
Monthly cost of renting vs owning a median-priced home · 30-yr fixed, 20% down
Buying looks favorable in Houston, TX
Price-to-rent ratio is 14.4 (under 15 favors buying, over 21 favors renting). Renting costs $1,497/mo; owning runs about $1,915/mo — $418/mo more to own.
| Monthly cost to own | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mortgage (P&I, 6.80% rate) | $1,353 |
| Property tax | $238 |
| Home insurance | $108 |
| Maintenance | $216 |
| Total to own | $1,915 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,497 |
Based on a median home value of $259,465 with a $51,893 down payment. Owning also builds equity over time, which a monthly comparison doesn't capture. Estimates use national averages for taxes, insurance and maintenance — your actual costs will vary.