Rent vs Buy Analysis by City & State: 2026

Data-driven breakdowns for major US markets — updated quarterly.

Los Angeles, CA isometric illustration

Los Angeles

CA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Los Angeles, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Los Angeles, CA in 2026? Buy: $6,736/mo vs Rent: $3,000/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$124k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Chicago, IL isometric illustration

Chicago

IL

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Chicago, IL: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Chicago, IL in 2026? Buy: $2,625/mo vs Rent: $2,300/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$114k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Dallas, TX isometric illustration

Dallas

TX

Depends

Buy vs Rent in Dallas, TX: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Dallas, TX in 2026? Buy: $2,569/mo vs Rent: $1,650/mo. Break-even: 11 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 11 yrs10yr: -$986
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Houston, TX isometric illustration

Houston

TX

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Houston, TX: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Houston, TX in 2026? Buy: $2,225/mo vs Rent: $1,600/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$20k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Washington, DC isometric illustration

Washington

DC

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Washington, DC: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Washington, DC in 2026? Buy: $5,259/mo vs Rent: $2,600/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$35k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Philadelphia, PA isometric illustration

Philadelphia

PA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Philadelphia, PA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Philadelphia, PA in 2026? Buy: $1,660/mo vs Rent: $1,800/mo. Break-even: 1 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 1 yrs10yr: +$180k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Miami, FL isometric illustration

Miami

FL

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Miami, FL: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Miami, FL in 2026? Buy: $4,586/mo vs Rent: $2,975/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$159k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Atlanta, GA isometric illustration

Atlanta

GA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Atlanta, GA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Atlanta, GA in 2026? Buy: $2,801/mo vs Rent: $2,000/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$192k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Boston, MA isometric illustration

Boston

MA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Boston, MA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Boston, MA in 2026? Buy: $5,169/mo vs Rent: $3,480/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$212k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Phoenix, AZ isometric illustration

Phoenix

AZ

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Phoenix, AZ: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Phoenix, AZ in 2026? Buy: $3,117/mo vs Rent: $1,625/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$84k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
San Francisco, CA isometric illustration

San Francisco

CA

Rent

Buy vs Rent in San Francisco, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in San Francisco, CA in 2026? Buy: $9,220/mo vs Rent: $4,115/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$78k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Detroit, MI isometric illustration

Detroit

MI

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Detroit, MI: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Detroit, MI in 2026? Buy: $761/mo vs Rent: $1,300/mo. Break-even: 1 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 1 yrs10yr: +$151k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Seattle, WA isometric illustration

Seattle

WA

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Seattle, WA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Seattle, WA in 2026? Buy: $8,245/mo vs Rent: $2,250/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$325k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Minneapolis, MN isometric illustration

Minneapolis

MN

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Minneapolis, MN: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Minneapolis, MN in 2026? Buy: $2,582/mo vs Rent: $1,775/mo. Break-even: 4 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 4 yrs10yr: +$39k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
San Diego, CA isometric illustration

San Diego

CA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in San Diego, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in San Diego, CA in 2026? Buy: $7,051/mo vs Rent: $3,025/mo. Break-even: 4 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 4 yrs10yr: +$109k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Tampa, FL isometric illustration

Tampa

FL

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Tampa, FL: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Tampa, FL in 2026? Buy: $3,018/mo vs Rent: $1,990/mo. Break-even: 5 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 5 yrs10yr: +$30k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Denver, CO isometric illustration

Denver

CO

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Denver, CO: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Denver, CO in 2026? Buy: $4,040/mo vs Rent: $2,200/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$30k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Baltimore, MD isometric illustration

Baltimore

MD

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Baltimore, MD: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Baltimore, MD in 2026? Buy: $1,446/mo vs Rent: $1,710/mo. Break-even: 1 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 1 yrs10yr: +$133k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Orlando, FL isometric illustration

Orlando

FL

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Orlando, FL: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Orlando, FL in 2026? Buy: $2,999/mo vs Rent: $1,850/mo. Break-even: 7 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 7 yrs10yr: +$17k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Charlotte, NC isometric illustration

Charlotte

NC

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Charlotte, NC: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Charlotte, NC in 2026? Buy: $2,880/mo vs Rent: $1,600/mo. Break-even: 4 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 4 yrs10yr: +$35k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
San Antonio, TX isometric illustration

San Antonio

TX

Rent

Buy vs Rent in San Antonio, TX: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in San Antonio, TX in 2026? Buy: $2,126/mo vs Rent: $1,400/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$46k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Portland, OR isometric illustration

Portland

OR

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Portland, OR: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Portland, OR in 2026? Buy: $3,776/mo vs Rent: $1,975/mo. Break-even: 5 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 5 yrs10yr: +$26k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Sacramento, CA isometric illustration

Sacramento

CA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Sacramento, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Sacramento, CA in 2026? Buy: $3,735/mo vs Rent: $2,050/mo. Break-even: 4 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 4 yrs10yr: +$53k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Pittsburgh, PA isometric illustration

Pittsburgh

PA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Pittsburgh, PA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Pittsburgh, PA in 2026? Buy: $1,769/mo vs Rent: $1,520/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$77k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Cincinnati, OH isometric illustration

Cincinnati

OH

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Cincinnati, OH: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Cincinnati, OH in 2026? Buy: $1,878/mo vs Rent: $1,460/mo. Break-even: 5 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 5 yrs10yr: +$21k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Austin, TX isometric illustration

Austin

TX

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Austin, TX: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Austin, TX in 2026? Buy: $4,154/mo vs Rent: $1,675/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$246k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Las Vegas, NV isometric illustration

Las Vegas

NV

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Las Vegas, NV: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Las Vegas, NV in 2026? Buy: $2,845/mo vs Rent: $1,800/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$135k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Kansas City, MO isometric illustration

Kansas City

MO

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Kansas City, MO: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Kansas City, MO in 2026? Buy: $1,934/mo vs Rent: $1,420/mo. Break-even: 4 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 4 yrs10yr: +$33k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Columbus, OH isometric illustration

Columbus

OH

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Columbus, OH: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Columbus, OH in 2026? Buy: $1,993/mo vs Rent: $1,500/mo. Break-even: 5 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 5 yrs10yr: +$27k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Indianapolis, IN isometric illustration

Indianapolis

IN

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Indianapolis, IN: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Indianapolis, IN in 2026? Buy: $1,785/mo vs Rent: $1,350/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$67k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Cleveland, OH isometric illustration

Cleveland

OH

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Cleveland, OH: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Cleveland, OH in 2026? Buy: $1,284/mo vs Rent: $1,425/mo. Break-even: 1 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 1 yrs10yr: +$121k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
San Jose, CA isometric illustration

San Jose

CA

Rent

Buy vs Rent in San Jose, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in San Jose, CA in 2026? Buy: $10,589/mo vs Rent: $3,650/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$151k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Nashville, TN isometric illustration

Nashville

TN

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Nashville, TN: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Nashville, TN in 2026? Buy: $2,992/mo vs Rent: $1,800/mo. Break-even: 7 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 7 yrs10yr: +$9k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Virginia Beach, VA isometric illustration

Virginia Beach

VA

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Virginia Beach, VA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026? Buy: $3,029/mo vs Rent: $1,980/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$83k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Jacksonville, FL isometric illustration

Jacksonville

FL

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Jacksonville, FL: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Jacksonville, FL in 2026? Buy: $2,347/mo vs Rent: $1,600/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$45k
May 2026Read Analysis
Milwaukee, WI isometric illustration

Milwaukee

WI

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Milwaukee, WI: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Milwaukee, WI in 2026? Buy: $1,759/mo vs Rent: $1,475/mo. Break-even: 2 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 2 yrs10yr: +$67k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Oklahoma City, OK isometric illustration

Oklahoma City

OK

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Oklahoma City, OK: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Oklahoma City, OK in 2026? Buy: $1,636/mo vs Rent: $1,260/mo. Break-even: 5 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 5 yrs10yr: +$15k
May 2026Read Analysis
Louisville, KY isometric illustration

Louisville

KY

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Louisville, KY: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Louisville, KY in 2026? Buy: $1,962/mo vs Rent: $1,360/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$5k
May 2026Read Analysis
Salt Lake City, UT isometric illustration

Salt Lake City

UT

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Salt Lake City, UT: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Salt Lake City, UT in 2026? Buy: $3,822/mo vs Rent: $1,620/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$11k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
New York, NY isometric illustration

New York

NY

Rent

Buy vs Rent in New York, NY: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in New York, NY in 2026? Buy: $7,573/mo vs Rent: $4,000/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$4k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Oakland, CA isometric illustration

Oakland

CA

Rent

Buy vs Rent in Oakland, CA: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Oakland, CA in 2026? Buy: $5,508/mo vs Rent: $2,650/mo. Renting favored over 30-yr horizon. Full data analysis.

Break-even: Over 30 years10yr: -$24k
Apr 2026Read Analysis
Saint Louis, MO isometric illustration

Saint Louis

MO

Buy

Buy vs Rent in Saint Louis, MO: 2026 Analysis

Is it better to buy or rent in Saint Louis, MO in 2026? Buy: $1,457/mo vs Rent: $1,340/mo. Break-even: 3 years. Full data analysis.

Break-even: 3 yrs10yr: +$35k
Apr 2026Read Analysis