Chicago vs Houston
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Chicago has an edge
Chicago currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home Price
$314,516.51
Median Rent
$2,113.41/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
12.4
Property Tax Rate
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+2.9%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+14.4%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$90,658
Median Home PriceBETTER
$277,739.66
Median RentBETTER
$1,583.64/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6
Property Tax RateBETTER
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)
-2.6%
Price Change (5Y)
-13.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$136,727
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $314,516.51 is higher than Houston's $277,739.66 by 13%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,113.41/mo compared to $1,583.64/mo in Houston—a difference of $529.77/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
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.