Rent vs Buy Calculator — Austin, TX
Prefilled with Austin estimates: a ~$540,000 home (about $108,000 for 20% down) versus ~$1,950/mo rent. Texas's effective property tax of 1.63% — well above the U.S. average (~1.1%) — adds roughly $8,802/yr, and typical homeowners insurance runs about $4,000/yr. Adjust every field to your actual home below.
Is it better to rent or buy in Austin?
There's no universal answer — it hinges on how long you'll stay, what you'd earn investing the down payment instead, and Texas's tax and insurance costs. Property tax is the biggest local lever: at 1.63% on a $540,000 home that's about $8,802 every year, before insurance and maintenance. Use the break-even readout above to see the year buying pulls ahead, and the appreciation rate that flips the decision.
What makes Austin, TX different
- Median home price estimate: $540,000
- Typical monthly rent estimate: $1,950
- Texas effective property tax: 1.63% (~$8,802/yr here)
- Texas avg. homeowners insurance: $4,000/yr
Starting estimates as of 2026-01 — see the methodology & sources.