Rent vs buy in Arlington, TX
In Arlington, Texas, the typical home costs $306,472, while typical rent is $1,468 /mo.
Renting costs $34k less over 7 years
Today's mortgage rate applies alongside 20% down, using Arlington's typical rent and home value. The break-even point comes in year 16.
Clearly labeled opinion with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. The stamp updates when you change a number.
- Renting leads by
- $34k after 7 years
- Point where costs match
- At year 16 when owning catches up
- Actual cost of homeownership
- $2,923 each month year 1, against $1,468 rent
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Arlington?
Over 7 years, renting costs $33,717 less, including the money returned to you when you sell. For the first 15 years, renting costs less. By year 16, owning catches up.
Rent. Ownership. Net cost through each year.
Comparing average rent and mortgage payments in Arlington
In year 1, every monthly cost at Arlington's typical price is included, not just rent and the mortgage.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,468 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $1,671 | $1,473 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $396 | 1.55% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $173 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $255 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $2,495 | $198 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $498 | At 8.3% a year, cash would earn this return |
| Buying costs, spread out | $128 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $2,923 | Cash out, then subtract equity and add both items listed above. |
Arlington verdict explained by the numbers
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $306,472
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,468 /mo
- Down payment20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine does not model
- 20%
- Mortgage rateFreddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Home price growthFHFA house price index, Texas, 1995 to 2025
- 4.7% a year
- Rent growthCPI rent of primary residence, yearly growth 2006 to 2026
- 3.5% a year
- Return on savings60% S&P 500 with dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced yearly, 1928 to 2025
- 8.3% a year
- Property taxCensus ACS 2020-2024, Arlington
- 1.55% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Arlington
- $173 /mo
- MaintenanceFannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- 1% of value a year
- Buying costsFreddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% of price
- Selling costsAgent commission plus closing costs
- 6% of price
Which change would reverse the Arlington result?
With everything else unchanged, each line marks where the 7-year Arlington verdict changes.
When renting comes out ahead
- With annual home price growth below 6.0%, our calculation uses 4.7%, Texas's long-run rate.
- A mortgage rate above 5.28% remains in place.
- A similar home rents for under $1,830 a month, compared with the typical $1,468 here.
- Before year 16, you move.
When buying comes out ahead
- Annual home price growth is above 6.0%.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 5.28%; today's rate is 7.24%.
- For the same home, you'd pay more than $1,830 in monthly rent.
- You remain there for 16 years or longer.
How Arlington compares with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Arlington | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $306,472 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,468 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 17.4 (#472 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 6.2% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 2.3% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 1.55% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 46% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in Texas
- Too close to call: Houston, TX. Renting leads by $2k.
- Renting costs less by $10k in San Antonio, TX.
- Renting costs less by $20k in Dallas, TX.
- Renting costs less by $17k in Fort Worth, TX.
- Renting costs less by $111k in Austin, TX.
- Renting takes the lead. Garland, TX. The advantage is $12k.