Rent vs buy in Mansfield, TX
In Mansfield, Texas, the typical rent is $1,707 /mo and the typical home is $440,844.
Over 7 years, renting comes out ahead by $93k
Today's mortgage rate and 20% down, using Mansfield's typical rent and home value. There is no break-even within 30 years.
Clearly labelled opinion with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. The stamp changes whenever you change a number.
- Renting is ahead by
- $93k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- 30 years or more owning never catches up sooner
- Actual cost of owning
- $4,262 /mo year 1, against $1,707 rent
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In Mansfield, is renting or buying cheaper?
When you count the money you get back from selling, renting costs $92,610 less over 7 years. Every year shown has a lower net cost for renting than for owning. Buying doesn't make up the gap within 30 years.
Renting wins. Owning costs. Net cost by year so far.
Average rent compared with the mortgage payment in Mansfield
Rent and the mortgage don't tell the whole story, so here are all monthly costs for year 1 at Mansfield's typical price.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,707 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,403 | $2,118 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $683 | 1.86% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $193 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $367 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $3,647 | $285 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $717 | Annual earnings on cash at 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $184 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $4,262 | Cash paid out, minus the equity part, plus the two amounts above |
Numbers behind Mansfield's result
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $440,844
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,707 /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, Mansfield
- 1.86% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Mansfield
- $193 /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
What would reverse the result in Mansfield?
Every line shows where the 7-year result in Mansfield changes, with all other factors unchanged.
Renting comes out ahead when
- Home prices rise at less than 7.2% a year; the figure we use is 4.7%, Texas's long-run rate.
- Mortgage rates remain higher than 3.46%.
- A comparable home has a monthly rent under $2,700 (typical here: $1,707).
- If you move during the next 30 years, buying will not make up the gap at these numbers.
Buying comes out ahead when
- Home prices rise by more than 7.2% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 3.46% (today's is 7.24%).
- The same home would cost more than $2,700 monthly to rent.
How Mansfield compares with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Mansfield | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $440,844 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,707 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 21.5 (#264 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 5.4% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 1.6% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 1.86% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 28% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities across Texas
- Renting is ahead by $2k, making it a toss-up in Houston, TX.
- Renting wins by $10k in San Antonio, TX.
- Renting wins by $20k in Dallas, TX.
- Renting wins by $17k in Fort Worth, TX.
- Renting wins by $111k in Austin, TX.
- Renting wins by $34k in Arlington, TX.