Rent vs buy in Pearland, TX
In Pearland, Texas, typical rent is $1,898 /mo and a typical home costs $377,993.
Renting costs $48k less over 7 years
The comparison relies on Pearland's typical rent and home value, plus 20% down and today's mortgage rate. You reach break-even in year 20.
Our opinion, clearly labelled, with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. Adjust any number and the stamp will change.
- Renting leads by
- $48k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- year 20 when owning catches up
- Full cost of owning
- $3,759 /mo year 1, against $1,898 rent
Change my numbers
The stamp uses the typical rent and home value in Pearland's market. Change your rent, price or years, and the result may flip.
Do these numbers differ from the city's?
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pearland?
Across 7 years, renting saves $48,444, including the money you receive when you sell. During the first 19 years, renting costs less. Owning catches up during year 20.
Renting. Buying. Net cost so far, shown by year.
Comparing average rent and mortgage payment in Pearland
The full monthly costs for year 1 appear here, based on Pearland's typical price. Rent and mortgage payments alone don't tell you everything.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,898 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,061 | $1,816 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $649 | 2.06% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $207 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $315 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $3,232 | $244 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $614 | At 8.3% a year, this is what the cash would earn |
| Buying costs, spread out | $157 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,759 | Cash out, then subtract the equity part and add the two lines above |
The numbers behind Pearland's result
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $377,993
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,898 /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, Pearland
- 2.06% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Pearland
- $207 /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 could change the result in Pearland?
Each line marks the point where Pearland's 7-year verdict changes, while everything else stays as it is.
You win by renting when
- Home prices grow by less than 6.2% a year. We use Texas's long-run rate of 4.7%.
- The mortgage rate holds above 4.95%.
- A similar home rents for under $2,420 a month (the local typical rent is $1,898).
- You move earlier than year 20.
You win by buying when
- Home prices grow by more than 6.2% a year.
- You lock in a rate under 4.95%. The rate today is 7.24%.
- Monthly rent for the same home would exceed $2,420.
- You remain there for 20 years or more.
Pearland compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Pearland | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $377,993 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,898 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 16.6 (#510 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 4.1% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 2.2% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 2.06% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 24% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in Texas
- A toss-up in Houston, TX, where renting comes out ahead by $2k.
- In San Antonio, TX, renting comes out ahead by $10k.
- Renting comes out ahead by $20k in Dallas, TX.
- Rent. Fort Worth, TX. Renting comes out $17k ahead.
- Rent. Austin, TX. Renting comes out $111k ahead.
- Rent. Arlington, TX. Renting comes out $34k ahead.