Chicago vs Houston
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Both cities are evenly matched
Both cities offer similar value for rent vs buy decisions.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$465,000
Median Rent
$2,200/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
17.6
Property Tax Rate
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)
+2.8%
Price Change (5Y)
+13.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
7 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$20,000
Median Home Price
$495,000
Median RentBETTER
$1,950/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2
Property Tax RateBETTER
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+3.6%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+17.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
7 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$30,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $465,000 is lower than Houston's $495,000 by 6%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,200/mo compared to $1,950/mo in Houston—a difference of $250/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor either option.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 7 years in Chicago vs 7 years in Houston.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.