Phoenix - AZ vs Austin - TX: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Phoenix - AZ is roughly 6% more expensive than Austin - TX in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Austin - TX (60 days vs 38), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Phoenix vs Austin: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $2,443 a month in principal and interest in Phoenix and $2,295 in Austin, a gap of $149 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,720 in Phoenix and $1,603 in Austin, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.4 times rent in Phoenix and 1.4 times rent in Austin, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 21.4 years of rent in Phoenix and 21.5 in Austin; the lower ratio in Phoenix means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -4.5% in Phoenix and -9.8% in Austin; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Phoenix and -0.1% in Austin.

Homes sell for 97.9% of list price in Phoenix and 97.3% in Austin, after 38 and 60 days on the market, with price cuts on 32% and 30% of listings. The signs are mixed: Phoenix has more price cuts, while Austin has longer time on the market and sales further below list.

The number of homes for sale is up 2% on a year ago in Phoenix and down 3% on a year ago in Austin.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.