Index · 195 metros · rebuilt August 2026
Where renting beats buying, metro by metro
The Rent vs Buy Index ranks every US metro we track by price-to-rent ratio: the typical home value divided by a year of typical rent. Beside it, the mortgage on that typical home at today's 6.65% 30-year rate, the monthly gap against rent, and the rate at which the two would break even.
Renting territory
49
metros over 20x annual rent
Toss-up
98
metros between 15x and 20x
Buying territory
48
metros under 15x
Median metro
17.0x
price-to-rent, all 195 metros
30-yr fixed used
6.65%
Freddie Mac PMMS, August 20, 2026
Jump to: the toss-ups · where buying wins · how this is computed
| # | Metro | St | Price-to-rent | Typical rent | Mortgage P&I | Monthly gap | Breakeven rate | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose - CA | CA | 34.4x | $3,782 | $8,008 | +$4,226 | 0.59% | Renting territory |
| 2 | Salt Lake City - UT | UT | 28.6x | $1,647 | $2,908 | +$1,261 | 1.88% | Renting territory |
| 3 | San Francisco - CA | CA | 28.1x | $3,372 | $5,838 | +$2,466 | 2.02% | Renting territory |
| 4 | Los Angeles - CA | CA | 27.3x | $2,944 | $4,956 | +$2,012 | 2.23% | Renting territory |
| 5 | Santa Cruz - CA | CA | 27.3x | $3,539 | $5,950 | +$2,411 | 2.24% | Renting territory |
| 6 | Seattle - WA | WA | 27.0x | $2,282 | $3,803 | +$1,521 | 2.31% | Renting territory |
| 7 | Boulder - CO | CO | 26.7x | $2,246 | $3,691 | +$1,445 | 2.41% | Renting territory |
| 8 | Ogden - UT | UT | 26.4x | $1,631 | $2,653 | +$1,022 | 2.49% | Renting territory |
| 9 | San Luis Obispo - CA | CA | 26.2x | $2,882 | $4,657 | +$1,775 | 2.54% | Renting territory |
| 10 | San Diego - CA | CA | 25.9x | $3,008 | $4,798 | +$1,790 | 2.64% | Renting territory |
| 11 | Green Bay - WI | WI | 25.9x | $1,134 | $1,807 | +$673 | 2.65% | Renting territory |
| 12 | Santa Maria - CA | CA | 25.7x | $3,258 | $5,153 | +$1,895 | 2.71% | Renting territory |
| 13 | Portland - OR | OR | 25.3x | $1,810 | $2,821 | +$1,011 | 2.82% | Renting territory |
| 14 | Salinas - CA | CA | 25.1x | $2,834 | $4,378 | +$1,544 | 2.89% | Renting territory |
| 15 | Provo - UT | UT | 24.9x | $1,823 | $2,798 | +$975 | 2.94% | Renting territory |
| 16 | Oxnard - CA | CA | 24.8x | $2,964 | $4,537 | +$1,573 | 2.96% | Renting territory |
| 17 | Fargo - ND | ND | 24.7x | $1,113 | $1,697 | +$584 | 2.99% | Renting territory |
| 18 | Denver - CO | CO | 24.5x | $1,930 | $2,910 | +$980 | 3.08% | Renting territory |
| 19 | Santa Rosa - CA | CA | 24.4x | $2,700 | $4,066 | +$1,366 | 3.09% | Renting territory |
| 20 | Appleton - WI | WI | 24.0x | $1,231 | $1,820 | +$589 | 3.23% | Renting territory |
| 21 | Greeley - CO | CO | 23.7x | $1,739 | $2,544 | +$805 | 3.32% | Renting territory |
| 22 | Urban Honolulu - HI | HI | 23.7x | $3,004 | $4,389 | +$1,385 | 3.33% | Renting territory |
| 23 | Bremerton - WA | WA | 23.7x | $2,075 | $3,026 | +$951 | 3.34% | Renting territory |
| 24 | Fort Collins - CO | CO | 23.6x | $1,956 | $2,848 | +$892 | 3.35% | Renting territory |
| 25 | Reno - NV | NV | 23.6x | $2,030 | $2,947 | +$917 | 3.38% | Renting territory |
| 26 | Salem - OR | OR | 23.4x | $1,623 | $2,339 | +$716 | 3.44% | Renting territory |
| 27 | Madison - WI | WI | 22.9x | $1,649 | $2,326 | +$677 | 3.61% | Renting territory |
| 28 | Spokane - WA | WA | 22.8x | $1,552 | $2,183 | +$631 | 3.63% | Renting territory |
| 29 | Sioux Falls - SD | SD | 21.9x | $1,307 | $1,768 | +$461 | 3.95% | Renting territory |
| 30 | Eugene - OR | OR | 21.8x | $1,761 | $2,370 | +$609 | 3.99% | Renting territory |
| 31 | Boise City - ID | ID | 21.7x | $1,906 | $2,553 | +$647 | 4.03% | Renting territory |
| 32 | Raleigh - NC | NC | 21.7x | $1,683 | $2,247 | +$564 | 4.06% | Renting territory |
| 33 | Wilmington - NC | NC | 21.6x | $1,726 | $2,302 | +$576 | 4.07% | Renting territory |
| 34 | Phoenix - AZ | AZ | 21.5x | $1,727 | $2,290 | +$563 | 4.12% | Renting territory |
| 35 | Kennewick - WA | WA | 21.5x | $1,717 | $2,275 | +$558 | 4.12% | Renting territory |
| 36 | Austin - TX | TX | 21.5x | $1,647 | $2,179 | +$532 | 4.13% | Renting territory |
| 37 | Olympia - WA | WA | 21.2x | $2,090 | $2,733 | +$643 | 4.23% | Renting territory |
| 38 | Milwaukee - WI | WI | 21.2x | $1,545 | $2,019 | +$474 | 4.24% | Renting territory |
| 39 | Colorado Springs - CO | CO | 21.2x | $1,791 | $2,339 | +$548 | 4.24% | Renting territory |
| 40 | Sacramento - CA | CA | 21.1x | $2,296 | $2,988 | +$692 | 4.27% | Renting territory |
| 41 | Asheville - NC | NC | 21.1x | $1,686 | $2,189 | +$503 | 4.29% | Renting territory |
| 42 | Yakima - WA | WA | 21.0x | $1,421 | $1,840 | +$419 | 4.32% | Renting territory |
| 43 | Lancaster - PA | PA | 20.9x | $1,558 | $2,003 | +$445 | 4.38% | Renting territory |
| 44 | Nashville - TN | TN | 20.9x | $1,820 | $2,339 | +$519 | 4.38% | Renting territory |
| 45 | Durham - NC | NC | 20.6x | $1,660 | $2,112 | +$452 | 4.46% | Renting territory |
| 46 | Las Vegas - NV | NV | 20.5x | $1,747 | $2,206 | +$459 | 4.53% | Renting territory |
| 47 | Manchester - NH | NH | 20.3x | $2,174 | $2,717 | +$543 | 4.62% | Renting territory |
| 48 | Providence - RI | RI | 20.3x | $2,180 | $2,721 | +$541 | 4.63% | Renting territory |
| 49 | Bridgeport - CT | CT | 20.1x | $2,897 | $3,587 | +$690 | 4.70% | Renting territory |
| 50 | Vallejo - CA | CA | 19.7x | $2,437 | $2,965 | +$528 | 4.85% | Toss-up |
| 51 | Anchorage - AK | AK | 19.7x | $1,808 | $2,200 | +$392 | 4.85% | Toss-up |
| 52 | Washington - DC | VA | 19.7x | $2,456 | $2,978 | +$522 | 4.88% | Toss-up |
| 53 | Boston - MA | MA | 19.5x | $3,165 | $3,812 | +$647 | 4.94% | Toss-up |
| 54 | Albuquerque - NM | NM | 19.5x | $1,511 | $1,811 | +$300 | 4.98% | Toss-up |
| 55 | Fayetteville - AR | AR | 19.3x | $1,595 | $1,893 | +$298 | 5.07% | Toss-up |
| 56 | Portland - ME | ME | 19.2x | $2,369 | $2,809 | +$440 | 5.07% | Toss-up |
| 57 | Riverside - CA | CA | 19.2x | $2,547 | $3,014 | +$467 | 5.09% | Toss-up |
| 58 | Tucson - AZ | AZ | 19.2x | $1,483 | $1,751 | +$268 | 5.11% | Toss-up |
| 59 | Minneapolis - MN | MN | 19.1x | $1,725 | $2,027 | +$302 | 5.15% | Toss-up |
| 60 | Modesto - CA | CA | 19.1x | $2,046 | $2,403 | +$357 | 5.16% | Toss-up |
| 61 | Huntsville - AL | AL | 19.1x | $1,385 | $1,626 | +$241 | 5.16% | Toss-up |
| 62 | Lincoln - NE | NE | 19.0x | $1,332 | $1,564 | +$232 | 5.16% | Toss-up |
| 63 | Richmond - VA | VA | 18.9x | $1,751 | $2,044 | +$293 | 5.21% | Toss-up |
| 64 | Worcester - MA | MA | 18.9x | $2,142 | $2,495 | +$353 | 5.23% | Toss-up |
| 65 | Des Moines - IA | IA | 18.8x | $1,311 | $1,520 | +$209 | 5.27% | Toss-up |
| 66 | Crestview - FL | FL | 18.7x | $1,978 | $2,274 | +$296 | 5.35% | Toss-up |
| 67 | Albany - NY | NY | 18.6x | $1,689 | $1,940 | +$251 | 5.36% | Toss-up |
| 68 | Kalamazoo - MI | MI | 18.6x | $1,264 | $1,446 | +$182 | 5.39% | Toss-up |
| 69 | Grand Rapids - MI | MI | 18.5x | $1,628 | $1,854 | +$226 | 5.44% | Toss-up |
| 70 | Charlotte - NC | NC | 18.4x | $1,756 | $1,996 | +$240 | 5.45% | Toss-up |
| 71 | York - PA | PA | 18.4x | $1,410 | $1,603 | +$193 | 5.45% | Toss-up |
| 72 | Columbus - OH | OH | 18.3x | $1,519 | $1,709 | +$190 | 5.54% | Toss-up |
| 73 | Dallas - TX | TX | 18.2x | $1,667 | $1,873 | +$206 | 5.55% | Toss-up |
| 74 | Omaha - NE | NE | 18.2x | $1,420 | $1,596 | +$176 | 5.55% | Toss-up |
| 75 | Norwich - CT | CT | 18.2x | $1,988 | $2,234 | +$246 | 5.56% | Toss-up |
| 76 | Salisbury - MD | DE | 18.2x | $1,972 | $2,211 | +$239 | 5.58% | Toss-up |
| 77 | Lynchburg - VA | VA | 18.1x | $1,342 | $1,498 | +$156 | 5.62% | Toss-up |
| 78 | Springfield - MO | MO | 18.1x | $1,261 | $1,404 | +$143 | 5.64% | Toss-up |
| 79 | College Station - TX | TX | 18.0x | $1,439 | $1,594 | +$155 | 5.69% | Toss-up |
| 80 | Clarksville - TN | TN | 17.9x | $1,362 | $1,506 | +$144 | 5.70% | Toss-up |
| 81 | Stockton - CA | CA | 17.8x | $2,467 | $2,710 | +$243 | 5.76% | Toss-up |
| 82 | Kansas City - MO | MO | 17.8x | $1,546 | $1,695 | +$149 | 5.78% | Toss-up |
| 83 | Roanoke - VA | VA | 17.8x | $1,424 | $1,559 | +$135 | 5.79% | Toss-up |
| 84 | Chattanooga - TN | TN | 17.7x | $1,531 | $1,674 | +$143 | 5.80% | Toss-up |
| 85 | Lexington - KY | KY | 17.7x | $1,541 | $1,683 | +$142 | 5.81% | Toss-up |
| 86 | Naples - FL | FL | 17.6x | $2,620 | $2,844 | +$224 | 5.87% | Toss-up |
| 87 | Charleston - SC | SC | 17.6x | $2,063 | $2,237 | +$174 | 5.88% | Toss-up |
| 88 | Harrisburg - PA | PA | 17.6x | $1,482 | $1,607 | +$125 | 5.88% | Toss-up |
| 89 | Knoxville - TN | TN | 17.5x | $1,747 | $1,890 | +$143 | 5.91% | Toss-up |
| 90 | Ann Arbor - MI | MI | 17.5x | $2,015 | $2,174 | +$159 | 5.93% | Toss-up |
| 91 | Baltimore - MD | MD | 17.3x | $1,946 | $2,080 | +$134 | 6.01% | Toss-up |
| 92 | Reading - PA | PA | 17.3x | $1,517 | $1,620 | +$103 | 6.02% | Toss-up |
| 93 | Louisville - KY | KY | 17.3x | $1,357 | $1,448 | +$91 | 6.03% | Toss-up |
| 94 | Jacksonville - FL | FL | 17.2x | $1,711 | $1,813 | +$102 | 6.10% | Toss-up |
| 95 | Atlanta - GA | GA | 17.2x | $1,855 | $1,961 | +$106 | 6.12% | Toss-up |
| 96 | Visalia - CA | CA | 17.1x | $1,784 | $1,877 | +$93 | 6.17% | Toss-up |
| 97 | Evansville - IN | IN | 17.0x | $1,120 | $1,173 | +$53 | 6.21% | Toss-up |
| 98 | Philadelphia - PA | PA | 17.0x | $1,925 | $2,015 | +$90 | 6.21% | Toss-up |
| 99 | New York - NY | NY | 16.9x | $3,627 | $3,785 | +$158 | 6.24% | Toss-up |
| 100 | Buffalo - NY | NY | 16.9x | $1,446 | $1,504 | +$58 | 6.27% | Toss-up |
| 101 | Bakersfield - CA | CA | 16.9x | $1,803 | $1,874 | +$71 | 6.28% | Toss-up |
| 102 | Merced - CA | CA | 16.9x | $2,075 | $2,156 | +$81 | 6.28% | Toss-up |
| 103 | Erie - PA | PA | 16.8x | $1,126 | $1,165 | +$39 | 6.33% | Toss-up |
| 104 | Hagerstown - MD | MD | 16.8x | $1,619 | $1,673 | +$54 | 6.33% | Toss-up |
| 105 | Fort Wayne - IN | IN | 16.7x | $1,299 | $1,340 | +$41 | 6.35% | Toss-up |
| 106 | Hartford - CT | CT | 16.7x | $2,020 | $2,080 | +$60 | 6.37% | Toss-up |
| 107 | Cincinnati - OH | OH | 16.7x | $1,552 | $1,598 | +$46 | 6.37% | Toss-up |
| 108 | Duluth - MN | MN | 16.7x | $1,351 | $1,390 | +$39 | 6.38% | Toss-up |
| 109 | Virginia Beach - VA | VA | 16.7x | $1,877 | $1,929 | +$52 | 6.39% | Toss-up |
| 110 | Davenport - IA | IL | 16.7x | $990 | $1,017 | +$27 | 6.39% | Toss-up |
| 111 | Greenville - SC | SC | 16.6x | $1,577 | $1,618 | +$41 | 6.40% | Toss-up |
| 112 | Myrtle Beach - SC | SC | 16.6x | $1,714 | $1,756 | +$42 | 6.41% | Toss-up |
| 113 | Fresno - CA | CA | 16.6x | $2,062 | $2,105 | +$43 | 6.45% | Toss-up |
| 114 | Springfield - MA | MA | 16.5x | $1,918 | $1,952 | +$34 | 6.48% | Toss-up |
| 115 | Orlando - FL | FL | 16.5x | $1,959 | $1,987 | +$28 | 6.51% | Toss-up |
| 116 | Allentown - PA | PA | 16.4x | $1,873 | $1,893 | +$20 | 6.55% | Toss-up |
| 117 | San Antonio - TX | TX | 16.3x | $1,425 | $1,435 | +$10 | 6.58% | Toss-up |
| 118 | Lansing - MI | MI | 16.3x | $1,287 | $1,296 | +$9 | 6.58% | Toss-up |
| 119 | Canton - OH | OH | 16.2x | $1,136 | $1,131 | -$5 | 6.70% | Toss-up |
| 120 | Tallahassee - FL | FL | 16.1x | $1,482 | $1,467 | -$15 | 6.75% | Toss-up |
| 121 | Cedar Rapids - IA | IA | 16.0x | $1,283 | $1,269 | -$14 | 6.76% | Toss-up |
| 122 | Fort Smith - AR | AR | 16.0x | $1,065 | $1,052 | -$13 | 6.77% | Toss-up |
| 123 | New Haven - CT | CT | 16.0x | $2,140 | $2,112 | -$28 | 6.78% | Toss-up |
| 124 | St. Louis - MO | MO | 16.0x | $1,445 | $1,425 | -$20 | 6.79% | Toss-up |
| 125 | North Port - FL | FL | 15.8x | $2,127 | $2,077 | -$50 | 6.88% | Toss-up |
| 126 | Savannah - GA | GA | 15.8x | $1,818 | $1,774 | -$44 | 6.89% | Toss-up |
| 127 | Greensboro - NC | NC | 15.8x | $1,400 | $1,362 | -$38 | 6.92% | Toss-up |
| 128 | Flint - MI | MI | 15.7x | $1,060 | $1,026 | -$34 | 6.97% | Toss-up |
| 129 | Indianapolis - IN | IN | 15.7x | $1,571 | $1,520 | -$51 | 6.97% | Toss-up |
| 130 | Killeen - TX | TX | 15.7x | $1,337 | $1,294 | -$43 | 6.97% | Toss-up |
| 131 | Akron - OH | OH | 15.7x | $1,293 | $1,251 | -$42 | 6.98% | Toss-up |
| 132 | Deltona - FL | FL | 15.6x | $1,783 | $1,710 | -$73 | 7.06% | Toss-up |
| 133 | Kingsport - TN | TN | 15.6x | $1,321 | $1,266 | -$55 | 7.06% | Toss-up |
| 134 | Wichita - KS | KS | 15.5x | $1,214 | $1,161 | -$53 | 7.09% | Toss-up |
| 135 | Houston - TX | TX | 15.5x | $1,654 | $1,581 | -$73 | 7.10% | Toss-up |
| 136 | Rochester - NY | NY | 15.5x | $1,557 | $1,484 | -$73 | 7.12% | Toss-up |
| 137 | Atlantic City - NJ | NJ | 15.5x | $2,088 | $1,989 | -$99 | 7.13% | Toss-up |
| 138 | Tulsa - OK | OK | 15.4x | $1,373 | $1,306 | -$67 | 7.15% | Toss-up |
| 139 | Spartanburg - SC | SC | 15.4x | $1,513 | $1,431 | -$82 | 7.20% | Toss-up |
| 140 | South Bend - IN | IN | 15.3x | $1,320 | $1,247 | -$73 | 7.21% | Toss-up |
| 141 | Gainesville - FL | FL | 15.3x | $1,661 | $1,566 | -$95 | 7.23% | Toss-up |
| 142 | Longview - TX | TX | 15.2x | $1,209 | $1,136 | -$73 | 7.27% | Toss-up |
| 143 | Little Rock - AR | AR | 15.2x | $1,270 | $1,188 | -$82 | 7.31% | Toss-up |
| 144 | Winston - NC | NC | 15.1x | $1,557 | $1,450 | -$107 | 7.36% | Toss-up |
| 145 | Birmingham - AL | AL | 15.1x | $1,456 | $1,354 | -$102 | 7.37% | Toss-up |
| 146 | Cape Coral - FL | FL | 15.1x | $1,864 | $1,733 | -$131 | 7.37% | Toss-up |
| 147 | Palm Bay - FL | FL | 15.0x | $1,914 | $1,770 | -$144 | 7.42% | Toss-up |
| 148 | Tampa - FL | FL | 15.0x | $2,013 | $1,857 | -$156 | 7.45% | Buying territory |
| 149 | Miami - FL | FL | 14.9x | $2,677 | $2,454 | -$223 | 7.52% | Buying territory |
| 150 | Rockford - IL | IL | 14.9x | $1,258 | $1,152 | -$106 | 7.52% | Buying territory |
| 151 | Waco - TX | TX | 14.8x | $1,438 | $1,312 | -$126 | 7.57% | Buying territory |
| 152 | Baton Rouge - LA | LA | 14.8x | $1,407 | $1,282 | -$125 | 7.58% | Buying territory |
| 153 | Oklahoma City - OK | OK | 14.8x | $1,390 | $1,266 | -$124 | 7.59% | Buying territory |
| 154 | Pensacola - FL | FL | 14.7x | $1,761 | $1,599 | -$162 | 7.61% | Buying territory |
| 155 | Detroit - MI | MI | 14.7x | $1,531 | $1,389 | -$142 | 7.63% | Buying territory |
| 156 | Fayetteville - NC | NC | 14.7x | $1,460 | $1,320 | -$140 | 7.66% | Buying territory |
| 157 | Scranton - PA | PA | 14.4x | $1,333 | $1,185 | -$148 | 7.83% | Buying territory |
| 158 | Trenton - NJ | NJ | 14.4x | $2,606 | $2,316 | -$290 | 7.84% | Buying territory |
| 159 | Memphis - TN | TN | 14.4x | $1,422 | $1,264 | -$158 | 7.84% | Buying territory |
| 160 | Cleveland - OH | OH | 14.4x | $1,476 | $1,307 | -$169 | 7.87% | Buying territory |
| 161 | Amarillo - TX | TX | 14.3x | $1,290 | $1,139 | -$151 | 7.90% | Buying territory |
| 162 | McAllen - TX | TX | 14.3x | $1,118 | $984 | -$134 | 7.94% | Buying territory |
| 163 | Ocala - FL | FL | 14.3x | $1,593 | $1,401 | -$192 | 7.95% | Buying territory |
| 164 | Topeka - KS | KS | 14.3x | $1,288 | $1,131 | -$157 | 7.96% | Buying territory |
| 165 | Hickory - NC | NC | 14.2x | $1,593 | $1,394 | -$199 | 8.00% | Buying territory |
| 166 | Youngstown - OH | OH | 14.1x | $1,037 | $900 | -$137 | 8.08% | Buying territory |
| 167 | Syracuse - NY | NY | 14.1x | $1,613 | $1,400 | -$213 | 8.09% | Buying territory |
| 168 | Laredo - TX | TX | 14.0x | $1,305 | $1,124 | -$181 | 8.16% | Buying territory |
| 169 | Augusta - GA | GA | 14.0x | $1,510 | $1,301 | -$209 | 8.16% | Buying territory |
| 170 | New Orleans - LA | LA | 13.7x | $1,604 | $1,355 | -$249 | 8.37% | Buying territory |
| 171 | Port St. Lucie - FL | FL | 13.7x | $2,337 | $1,971 | -$366 | 8.39% | Buying territory |
| 172 | Columbia - SC | SC | 13.7x | $1,562 | $1,316 | -$246 | 8.40% | Buying territory |
| 173 | Utica - NY | NY | 13.6x | $1,429 | $1,202 | -$227 | 8.42% | Buying territory |
| 174 | Lakeland - FL | FL | 13.4x | $1,847 | $1,531 | -$316 | 8.58% | Buying territory |
| 175 | Chicago - IL | IL | 13.3x | $2,253 | $1,850 | -$403 | 8.68% | Buying territory |
| 176 | Macon - GA | GA | 13.3x | $1,256 | $1,027 | -$229 | 8.73% | Buying territory |
| 177 | Toledo - OH | OH | 13.2x | $1,294 | $1,056 | -$238 | 8.75% | Buying territory |
| 178 | Columbus - GA | GA | 13.1x | $1,334 | $1,077 | -$257 | 8.87% | Buying territory |
| 179 | Corpus Christi - TX | TX | 13.1x | $1,433 | $1,154 | -$279 | 8.89% | Buying territory |
| 180 | Pittsburgh - PA | PA | 12.9x | $1,499 | $1,190 | -$309 | 9.06% | Buying territory |
| 181 | Binghamton - NY | NY | 12.9x | $1,333 | $1,056 | -$277 | 9.08% | Buying territory |
| 182 | Lubbock - TX | TX | 12.9x | $1,383 | $1,095 | -$288 | 9.08% | Buying territory |
| 183 | Gulfport - MS | MS | 12.8x | $1,454 | $1,148 | -$306 | 9.12% | Buying territory |
| 184 | Tuscaloosa - AL | AL | 12.7x | $1,466 | $1,150 | -$316 | 9.19% | Buying territory |
| 185 | El Paso - TX | TX | 12.7x | $1,534 | $1,198 | -$336 | 9.24% | Buying territory |
| 186 | Montgomery - AL | AL | 12.6x | $1,420 | $1,104 | -$316 | 9.29% | Buying territory |
| 187 | Huntington - WV | OH | 12.6x | $1,111 | $862 | -$249 | 9.32% | Buying territory |
| 188 | Peoria - IL | IL | 12.4x | $1,179 | $903 | -$276 | 9.46% | Buying territory |
| 189 | Mobile - AL | AL | 12.4x | $1,327 | $1,015 | -$312 | 9.48% | Buying territory |
| 190 | Lafayette - LA | LA | 12.4x | $1,364 | $1,039 | -$325 | 9.53% | Buying territory |
| 191 | Beaumont - TX | TX | 12.0x | $1,301 | $963 | -$338 | 9.87% | Buying territory |
| 192 | Brownsville - TX | TX | 11.9x | $1,447 | $1,065 | -$382 | 9.93% | Buying territory |
| 193 | Jackson - MS | MS | 11.8x | $1,506 | $1,098 | -$408 | 10.05% | Buying territory |
| 194 | Shreveport - LA | LA | 11.4x | $1,357 | $950 | -$407 | 10.53% | Buying territory |
| 195 | Charleston - WV | WV | 9.9x | $1,264 | $771 | -$493 | 12.30% | Buying territory |
How the index is computed
Price-to-rent ratio is the Zillow Home Value Index for the metro divided by twelve months of the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The bands are the long-standing rule of thumb: under 15x, buying tends to pencil out; 15x to 20x is a toss-up that depends on how long you stay and what you could earn on the down payment; over 20x, renting tends to win month to month.
Mortgage P&I is principal and interest on a 30-year fixed loan for 80% of the typical home value (20% down), at 6.65%, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey average published August 20, 2026, pulled from FRED at build time. It deliberately excludes property tax, insurance, maintenance, HOA dues, and the opportunity cost of the down payment, all of which push the real cost of owning higher. It also excludes the equity you build and any appreciation, which push the other way.
Monthly gap is that mortgage payment minus typical rent. A positive number means the mortgage alone costs more than renting. Breakeven rate is the mortgage rate at which the two would be equal; "none" means the mortgage costs more than rent even at 0%, and "any rate" means buying is cheaper even at 25%.
Data: Zillow Research ZHVI and ZORI (monthly), Freddie Mac PMMS via FRED (weekly). Rebuilt August 2026. This is market-level context, not financial advice. Methodology →
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