Rent vs buy in Denton, TX
In Denton, Texas, the typical monthly rent is $1,492, while the typical home price is $343,177.
Renting comes out ahead by $51k over 7 years
Based on Denton's typical rent and home value, the figures assume 20% down and today's mortgage rate. The break-even year is 24.
Clearly labeled opinion with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. Adjust any number, and the stamp will change.
- Renting leads by
- $51k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- year 24 when owning catches up
- Full ownership cost
- $3,260 /mo year 1, against $1,492 rent
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The stamp draws on typical rent and home value, with Denton's figures supplying both. Your figures for rent, price and years can reverse the result.
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Denton?
Over 7 years, renting costs $50,934 less after you count the money you receive when you sell. For the first 23 years, renting costs less. By year 24, owning has caught up.
Renting. Owning. Net cost to date, by year.
Denton: average rent compared with mortgage payment
At Denton's typical price, year 1 includes more monthly costs than just rent and mortgage payments. Here are all of them.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,492 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $1,871 | $1,649 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $452 | 1.58% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $172 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $286 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $2,781 | $222 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $558 | Cash earnings at 8.3% a year |
| Buying costs, spread out | $143 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,260 | Cash out minus the equity portion, plus the two lines above |
The figures behind the Denton verdict
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $343,177
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,492 /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, Denton
- 1.58% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Denton
- $172 /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
In Denton, what would make the result flip?
Every line shows when the 7-year Denton verdict flips, while all other factors remain unchanged.
Renting comes out ahead when
- Home prices rise by less than 6.5% a year (4.7%, Texas's long-run rate, is used).
- Your mortgage rate remains over 4.59%.
- A home like this costs under $2,040 in monthly rent (typical here: $1,492).
- Your move happens before year 24.
Buying takes the lead when
- Home prices rise by more than 6.5% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate below 4.59%, though today's rate is 7.24%.
- Renting that same home would cost you over $2,040 each month.
- You remain in the home for 24 years or more.
Denton compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Denton | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $343,177 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,492 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 19.2 (#380 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 5% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 2.1% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 1.58% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 50% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
Other cities across Texas
- A toss-up. Houston, TX. It's close, with renting holding a $2k lead.
- Rent. San Antonio, TX. Renting holds a $10k advantage.
- Rent. Dallas, TX. Renting holds a $20k advantage.
- Rent. Fort Worth, TX. Renting holds a $17k advantage.
- Rent. Austin, TX. Renting holds a $111k advantage.
- A toss-up. El Paso, TX. It's close, with buying holding a $2k lead.
- Rent. Arlington, TX. Renting holds a $34k advantage.
- Buy. Corpus Christi, TX. Buying holds a $4k advantage.
- Rent. Plano, TX. Renting holds a $105k advantage.
- A toss-up. Lubbock, TX. It's close, with buying holding a $2k lead.
- Rent. Laredo, TX. Renting holds a $20k advantage.
- Rent. Irving, TX. Renting holds a $36k advantage.