Rent vs. Buy Calculator: Is It Better to Buy in Austin, TX?
Pre-filled with Austin, TX's median home price ($820,000), local property tax rate (2.1%), and an estimated equivalent rent — adjust any number to match your specific situation.
Median home price
$820,000
Property tax rate
2.1%
Est. equivalent rent
$3,600/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
19×
Your situation
Buying wins over 10 years
Saves you $76,584 vs the alternative · breaks even in year 7
💡 What if the down payment was invested instead?
Adds a purple line: rent + $164,000 growing at 8%/yr
Net cost of buying
$418,656
Total cost renting
$495,240
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Assumes 30-year fixed mortgage, 3% closing costs, 1% annual maintenance, 7% selling costs. For educational purposes only — consult a financial advisor.
Compare another market:
Texas taxes and what they mean for your decision
Texas has no state income tax, a major driver of the tech and finance sector relocation Austin has experienced since 2020, though the 2.1% property tax rate is among the highest in this list and meaningfully affects ongoing ownership costs.
The Austin, TX rental market
Austin's rental market saw historic rent growth from 2020–2022 followed by a sharp correction in 2023–2024 as a surge of new apartment construction came online — one of the largest supply-driven rent corrections of any major US metro in recent years.
What makes Austin different
Austin home prices roughly doubled from 2019 to 2022 before cooling significantly. The combination of a high property tax rate and a market that has recently corrected makes the break-even analysis especially important to run with current, not historical, numbers.
Austin, TX's price-to-rent ratio: 19×
Dividing the median home price by annual rent for an equivalent home gives the price-to-rent ratio — a quick screening tool used by economists and real estate analysts. A ratio below 15 generally favours buying, 15–20 is a genuine toss-up, and above 20 generally favours renting, all else being equal. Austin, TX currently sits at approximately 19×, putting it squarely in toss-up territory where your specific time horizon and risk tolerance matter more than the market average.
| Metric | Austin, TX |
|---|---|
| Median home price | $820,000 |
| Estimated equivalent monthly rent | $3,600 |
| Property tax rate | 2.1% annually |
| State income tax | None |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 19× |
These are metro-level estimates for illustration. Use the calculator above with your specific neighborhood, property, and rental comparison for an accurate result.
Compare other major metros
📍 New York, NY
$780,000 median · 1.7% property tax
📍 Los Angeles, CA
$950,000 median · 0.7% property tax
📍 Chicago, IL
$350,000 median · 2.2% property tax
📍 Houston, TX
$320,000 median · 2.3% property tax · no income tax
📍 Seattle, WA
$850,000 median · 1% property tax · no income tax
📍 Denver, CO
$650,000 median · 0.6% property tax
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Austin, TX rent vs buy — frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Austin, TX?
It depends heavily on your time horizon and the specific numbers. Austin, TX's current price-to-rent ratio of approximately 19× suggests the decision is genuinely close and depends on your specific situation. Use the calculator above with your specific home price, down payment, and time horizon for a precise answer.
What is the median home price in Austin, TX?
The median home price in Austin, TX is approximately $820,000, though prices vary significantly by neighborhood and property type. This calculator uses the metro median as a starting point — adjust it to match the specific property you are considering.
What are property taxes like in Austin, TX?
Austin, TX has an effective property tax rate of approximately 2.1% of assessed home value annually. This is above the US national average of roughly 1.1%, meaningfully increasing the ongoing cost of ownership.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas is one of nine US states with no state income tax, which increases take-home pay for both renters and buyers compared to high-tax states.
How long do I need to stay in Austin for buying to make sense?
Based on Austin, TX's current price-to-rent ratio of 19×, the typical break-even point — accounting for closing costs, selling costs, and the opportunity cost of the down payment — generally falls in the 5-to-7-year range for this market. Run the calculator above with your specific numbers and time horizon for an exact figure.