Published October 16, 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, HUD, FHFA · Download CSV
The price-to-rent ratio divides a city's median home value by a year of its median rent. Across all 186 US cities of 150,000+ people, the median ratio is 21.3: the typical home is worth about 21 years of rent. The ratio runs from 7.3 in Detroit, MI to 50.4 in Bellevue, WA.
Key findings
- 20 cities have a ratio under 15, where owning can cost about as much as renting. 60 sit between 15 and 20, and 106 are above 20, where renting is usually the cheaper way to live.
- Lowest ratios: Detroit, MI (7.3), Cleveland, OH (9.5), Toledo, OH (11.3), Akron, OH (12.2), Rochester, NY (12.6).
- Highest ratios: Bellevue, WA (50.4), Sunnyvale, CA (49.6), San Francisco, CA (44.8), Glendale, CA (44.4), Fremont, CA (42.3).
- Home prices fell over the year to 2026 Q2 in 11 metro areas containing 17 of these cities. Their median ratio is 26.6, against 21.0 elsewhere: prices are slipping mostly where buying was already expensive relative to renting.
Where home prices are falling
| Metro area | Price change, past year | Cities (price-to-rent) |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland-Fremont-Berkeley, CA | -4.8% | Oakland, CA (36.7), Fremont, CA (42.3), Hayward, CA (31.6) |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | -1.8% | Stockton, CA (23.3) |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | -1.3% | Oxnard, CA (27.6) |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | -1.0% | San Jose, CA (39.6), Sunnyvale, CA (49.6) |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | -0.9% | Cape Coral, FL (16.8), Lehigh Acres, FL (14.3) |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | -0.6% | Port St. Lucie, FL (16.4) |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | -0.5% | San Antonio, TX (15.7) |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | -0.5% | Denver, CO (28.4), Aurora, CO (21.3), Lakewood, CO (26.6) |
| San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA | -0.3% | San Francisco, CA (44.8) |
| Salem, OR | -0.2% | Salem, OR (23.9) |
| St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Largo, FL | -0.1% | St. Petersburg, FL (20.1) |
All 186 cities
| Detroit, MI | 7.3 | $1,091/mo | $95,900 | +26% | +63% | $1,459/mo | +5.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 9.5 | $961/mo | $109,600 | +33% | +54% | $1,274/mo | +4.4% |
| Toledo, OH | 11.3 | $908/mo | $122,600 | +22% | +45% | $1,145/mo | +3.4% |
| Akron, OH | 12.2 | $968/mo | $142,200 | +26% | +64% | $1,231/mo | +3.2% |
| Rochester, NY | 12.6 | $1,090/mo | $164,300 | +29% | +89% | $1,416/mo | +4.5% |
| Augusta, GA | 12.7 | $1,328/mo | $203,100 | +44% | +64% | $1,329/mo | +5.0% |
| Fayetteville, NC | 12.8 | $1,372/mo | $211,300 | +43% | +65% | $1,476/mo | +2.6% |
| Kansas City, KS | 13.0 | $1,232/mo | $192,800 | +32% | +93% | $1,546/mo | +3.2% |
| Birmingham, AL | 13.1 | $1,206/mo | $189,800 | +44% | +92% | $1,375/mo | +3.4% |
| Buffalo, NY | 13.6 | $1,142/mo | $187,000 | +42% | +59% | $1,423/mo | +4.4% |
| Memphis, TN | 13.8 | $1,263/mo | $209,800 | +37% | +81% | $1,301/mo | +1.8% |
| Mesquite, TX | 13.9 | $1,604/mo | $267,000 | +43% | +55% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 14.1 | $1,304/mo | $220,400 | +29% | +48% | $1,389/mo | +3.4% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 14.1 | $1,500/mo | $253,600 | +39% | +38% | $1,860/mo | +4.3% |
| Lehigh Acres, FL | 14.3 | $1,937/mo | $332,800 | +66% | +81% | $1,835/mo | −0.9% |
| Mobile, AL | 14.7 | $1,136/mo | $200,000 | +30% | +54% | $1,139/mo | +2.1% |
| Aurora, IL | 14.8 | $1,632/mo | $289,100 | +43% | +37% | $2,011/mo | +6.0% |
| Garland, TX | 14.8 | $1,679/mo | $298,200 | +40% | +57% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Montgomery, AL | 14.8 | $1,110/mo | $197,700 | +27% | +58% | $1,150/mo | +6.0% |
| Brownsville, TX | 15.0 | $982/mo | $176,300 | +24% | +84% | $1,042/mo | +4.4% |
| Lubbock, TX | 15.1 | $1,236/mo | $223,600 | +27% | +46% | $1,241/mo | +2.3% |
| Macon, GA | 15.2 | $1,132/mo | $207,100 | +32% | +62% | $1,309/mo | +2.7% |
| Baltimore, MD | 15.3 | $1,345/mo | $247,400 | +23% | +38% | $2,006/mo | +2.7% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 15.4 | $1,269/mo | $234,000 | +22% | +49% | $1,421/mo | +1.4% |
| Grand Prairie, TX | 15.4 | $1,744/mo | $322,900 | +60% | +55% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Columbus, GA | 15.6 | $1,177/mo | $219,700 | +33% | +58% | $1,212/mo | +1.4% |
| San Antonio, TX | 15.7 | $1,389/mo | $260,900 | +35% | +52% | $1,441/mo | −0.5% |
| Shreveport, LA | 15.7 | $964/mo | $182,100 | +16% | +20% | $1,045/mo | +5.7% |
| Amarillo, TX | 15.9 | $1,123/mo | $213,900 | +33% | +41% | $1,107/mo | +3.1% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 16.0 | $1,081/mo | $207,900 | +25% | +56% | $1,263/mo | +6.2% |
| Des Moines, IA | 16.1 | $1,107/mo | $213,300 | +27% | +42% | $1,360/mo | +2.3% |
| Killeen, TX | 16.3 | $1,225/mo | $239,200 | +39% | +64% | $1,138/mo | +1.7% |
| El Paso, TX | 16.4 | $1,066/mo | $209,600 | +26% | +57% | $1,146/mo | +2.2% |
| Newport News, VA | 16.4 | $1,437/mo | $283,200 | +32% | +52% | $1,667/mo | +3.6% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 16.4 | $2,133/mo | $420,600 | +51% | +72% | $2,069/mo | −0.6% |
| Laredo, TX | 16.5 | $1,062/mo | $210,100 | +23% | +42% | $1,157/mo | +2.2% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 16.5 | $1,219/mo | $241,500 | +34% | +55% | $1,536/mo | +3.5% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 16.6 | $1,563/mo | $312,200 | +38% | +60% | — | — |
| Cape Coral, FL | 16.8 | $1,998/mo | $401,800 | +46% | +61% | $1,835/mo | −0.9% |
| Irving, TX | 16.8 | $1,734/mo | $349,800 | +42% | +58% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Columbus, OH | 16.9 | $1,383/mo | $279,900 | +41% | +62% | $1,602/mo | +3.3% |
| Kansas City, MO | 16.9 | $1,292/mo | $261,600 | +32% | +55% | $1,546/mo | +3.2% |
| Fort Worth, TX | 16.9 | $1,630/mo | $330,500 | +47% | +58% | $1,745/mo | +0.7% |
| St. Louis, MO | 17.1 | $1,044/mo | $214,500 | +26% | +42% | $1,349/mo | +4.1% |
| Springfield, MO | 17.2 | $1,007/mo | $207,900 | +37% | +68% | $1,113/mo | +4.0% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 17.3 | $1,568/mo | $325,300 | +43% | +62% | $1,694/mo | +0.1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 17.4 | $1,051/mo | $219,900 | +38% | +77% | $1,248/mo | +4.3% |
| Sunrise Manor, NV | 17.5 | $1,579/mo | $331,500 | +55% | +46% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 17.5 | $1,362/mo | $286,500 | +37% | +70% | $1,630/mo | +4.5% |
| Louisville, KY | 17.6 | $1,144/mo | $241,700 | +30% | +40% | $1,276/mo | +3.8% |
| Arlington, TX | 17.7 | $1,594/mo | $337,800 | +42% | +58% | $1,745/mo | +0.7% |
| Dallas, TX | 17.7 | $1,599/mo | $340,400 | +42% | +47% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Tulsa, OK | 17.8 | $1,099/mo | $234,400 | +33% | +54% | $1,229/mo | +4.0% |
| Houston, TX | 17.8 | $1,408/mo | $301,200 | +29% | +54% | $1,497/mo | +3.4% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 17.9 | $1,369/mo | $294,500 | +34% | +34% | $1,424/mo | +5.0% |
| Wichita, KS | 17.9 | $989/mo | $212,900 | +19% | +45% | $1,043/mo | +4.5% |
| Pembroke Pines, FL | 18.2 | $2,373/mo | $517,000 | +59% | +59% | $2,321/mo | +0.8% |
| Surprise, AZ | 18.2 | $2,064/mo | $450,800 | +36% | +67% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Omaha, NE | 18.3 | $1,229/mo | $269,500 | +31% | +53% | $1,450/mo | +4.2% |
| Joliet, IL | 18.3 | $1,278/mo | $280,500 | +29% | +36% | $2,011/mo | +6.2% |
| Norfolk, VA | 18.3 | $1,417/mo | $311,200 | +39% | +43% | $1,667/mo | +3.6% |
| North Las Vegas, NV | 18.3 | $1,902/mo | $418,300 | +49% | +47% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 18.3 | $1,178/mo | $259,300 | +35% | +56% | $1,264/mo | +2.4% |
| Greensboro, NC | 18.4 | $1,314/mo | $290,200 | +43% | +71% | $1,271/mo | +4.9% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 18.4 | $1,271/mo | $281,200 | +51% | +82% | $1,332/mo | +3.3% |
| Clarksville, TN | 18.9 | $1,356/mo | $307,300 | +47% | +94% | $1,307/mo | +2.1% |
| Knoxville, TN | 19.1 | $1,289/mo | $294,700 | +48% | +90% | $1,475/mo | +3.9% |
| Chicago, IL | 19.1 | $1,486/mo | $341,200 | +31% | +24% | $2,011/mo | +6.2% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 19.2 | $1,753/mo | $403,200 | +29% | +36% | $1,667/mo | +3.6% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 19.3 | $1,396/mo | $323,700 | +54% | +63% | $1,340/mo | +1.9% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 19.4 | $1,081/mo | $251,100 | +24% | +34% | $1,149/mo | +2.8% |
| New Orleans, LA | 19.4 | $1,310/mo | $305,100 | +30% | +26% | $1,480/mo | +2.7% |
| Hialeah, FL | 19.5 | $1,913/mo | $446,800 | +51% | +54% | $2,564/mo | +1.3% |
| Orlando, FL | 19.5 | $1,841/mo | $430,200 | +41% | +65% | $1,959/mo | +0.8% |
| Paterson, NJ | 19.6 | $1,650/mo | $387,400 | +34% | +46% | $2,282/mo | +5.7% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 19.7 | $1,115/mo | $263,300 | +44% | +54% | $1,442/mo | +3.8% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 19.8 | $1,708/mo | $406,500 | +55% | +54% | $1,656/mo | +0.5% |
| Little Rock, AR | 19.9 | $1,136/mo | $270,700 | +30% | +58% | $1,121/mo | +2.3% |
| Chesapeake, VA | 19.9 | $1,630/mo | $388,600 | +33% | +34% | $1,667/mo | +3.6% |
| Enterprise, NV | 20.0 | $2,090/mo | $500,800 | +36% | +38% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 20.1 | $1,805/mo | $436,200 | +53% | +80% | $1,917/mo | −0.1% |
| St. Paul, MN | 20.2 | $1,247/mo | $301,800 | +25% | +30% | $1,734/mo | +2.6% |
| Denton, TX | 20.2 | $1,568/mo | $379,900 | +40% | +53% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Spring Valley, NV | 20.2 | $1,814/mo | $440,200 | +44% | +42% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Tucson, AZ | 20.2 | $1,235/mo | $299,700 | +46% | +74% | $1,405/mo | +1.9% |
| Lancaster, CA | 20.4 | $1,931/mo | $473,800 | +47% | +67% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| Lincoln, NE | 20.7 | $1,122/mo | $278,200 | +31% | +47% | $1,230/mo | +2.1% |
| Lexington, KY | 20.7 | $1,281/mo | $318,400 | +37% | +51% | $1,416/mo | +6.1% |
| Peoria, AZ | 20.7 | $1,989/mo | $494,600 | +49% | +61% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Charlotte, NC | 20.9 | $1,720/mo | $431,900 | +47% | +71% | $1,785/mo | +1.5% |
| Hollywood, FL | 21.0 | $1,886/mo | $475,200 | +40% | +63% | $2,321/mo | +0.8% |
| Glendale, AZ | 21.0 | $1,708/mo | $431,300 | +62% | +79% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Worcester, MA | 21.3 | $1,614/mo | $411,700 | +42% | +65% | $2,043/mo | +2.5% |
| Fresno, CA | 21.3 | $1,552/mo | $396,300 | +47% | +43% | $1,685/mo | +2.0% |
| Aurora, CO | 21.3 | $1,932/mo | $494,600 | +36% | +44% | $2,169/mo | −0.5% |
| Modesto, CA | 21.4 | $1,822/mo | $467,600 | +41% | +44% | $1,803/mo | +2.8% |
| Mesa, AZ | 21.5 | $1,708/mo | $440,800 | +51% | +70% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Richmond, VA | 21.7 | $1,451/mo | $377,900 | +35% | +51% | $1,651/mo | +3.4% |
| Tampa, FL | 21.7 | $1,898/mo | $494,400 | +58% | +86% | $1,917/mo | +1.1% |
| Atlanta, GA | 21.8 | $1,765/mo | $462,200 | +40% | +29% | $1,762/mo | +1.0% |
| Jersey City, NJ | 21.8 | $2,182/mo | $571,700 | +42% | +35% | $2,792/mo | +5.7% |
| Nashville, TN | 21.9 | $1,669/mo | $438,800 | +40% | +53% | $1,798/mo | +1.6% |
| Durham, NC | 21.9 | $1,670/mo | $439,400 | +48% | +73% | $1,745/mo | +1.8% |
| Moreno Valley, CA | 22.0 | $2,206/mo | $581,500 | +35% | +66% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 22.0 | $1,227/mo | $324,600 | +36% | +53% | $1,384/mo | +2.2% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 22.1 | $1,712/mo | $454,900 | +55% | +71% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Tempe, AZ | 22.4 | $1,818/mo | $488,600 | +47% | +51% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Newark, NJ | 22.4 | $1,475/mo | $396,600 | +31% | +47% | $2,233/mo | +6.3% |
| Raleigh, NC | 22.6 | $1,661/mo | $450,300 | +43% | +64% | $1,689/mo | +1.1% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 22.6 | $1,688/mo | $458,300 | +48% | +50% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Vancouver, WA | 22.6 | $1,767/mo | $479,800 | +32% | +41% | $1,878/mo | +1.4% |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 22.7 | $1,680/mo | $456,700 | +51% | +67% | $1,798/mo | +1.6% |
| Palmdale, CA | 22.7 | $1,869/mo | $508,300 | +32% | +56% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| Chandler, AZ | 22.8 | $2,000/mo | $546,800 | +46% | +60% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Huntsville, AL | 22.8 | $1,241/mo | $339,400 | +47% | +83% | $1,341/mo | +3.3% |
| Paradise, NV | 22.8 | $1,419/mo | $388,100 | +38% | +37% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 22.9 | $1,340/mo | $368,300 | +25% | +31% | $1,734/mo | +2.6% |
| Elk Grove, CA | 23.0 | $2,352/mo | $648,700 | +45% | +40% | $2,201/mo | +0.1% |
| Henderson, NV | 23.3 | $1,863/mo | $520,400 | +34% | +40% | $1,686/mo | +2.8% |
| Stockton, CA | 23.3 | $1,635/mo | $456,800 | +38% | +44% | $2,015/mo | −1.8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 23.3 | $1,846/mo | $515,800 | +35% | +36% | $2,201/mo | +0.1% |
| Anchorage, AK | 23.3 | $1,536/mo | $429,600 | +25% | +37% | $1,529/mo | +4.5% |
| Fontana, CA | 23.5 | $2,185/mo | $615,800 | +46% | +47% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Madison, WI | 23.5 | $1,484/mo | $418,400 | +28% | +52% | $1,565/mo | +4.9% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 23.5 | $1,699/mo | $479,500 | +40% | +51% | $1,621/mo | +0.1% |
| Spokane, WA | 23.6 | $1,341/mo | $379,300 | +50% | +66% | $1,494/mo | −0.0% |
| Plano, TX | 23.7 | $1,904/mo | $541,700 | +31% | +50% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Overland Park, KS | 23.7 | $1,591/mo | $452,800 | +33% | +48% | $1,546/mo | +3.2% |
| San Bernardino, CA | 23.7 | $1,621/mo | $461,400 | +47% | +62% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Salem, OR | 23.9 | $1,507/mo | $433,000 | +42% | +51% | $1,692/mo | −0.2% |
| Gilbert, AZ | 24.0 | $2,167/mo | $624,400 | +35% | +68% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| Providence, RI | 24.1 | $1,429/mo | $413,800 | +35% | +74% | $1,879/mo | +4.7% |
| Tacoma, WA | 24.2 | $1,723/mo | $500,500 | +35% | +45% | $2,064/mo | +1.9% |
| Ontario, CA | 24.2 | $2,250/mo | $654,200 | +43% | +50% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Yonkers, NY | 24.3 | $1,789/mo | $521,700 | +23% | +23% | $2,971/mo | +5.7% |
| McKinney, TX | 24.4 | $1,900/mo | $555,800 | +29% | +57% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 24.7 | $1,953/mo | $579,300 | +38% | +61% | $2,321/mo | +0.8% |
| Riverside, CA | 24.9 | $2,060/mo | $616,400 | +37% | +50% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 25.1 | $1,105/mo | $332,600 | +30% | +52% | $1,228/mo | +2.5% |
| Naperville, IL | 25.2 | $1,913/mo | $579,200 | +18% | +37% | $2,011/mo | +6.2% |
| Miami, FL | 25.2 | $1,975/mo | $598,200 | +52% | +67% | $2,564/mo | +1.3% |
| Roseville, CA | 26.0 | $2,146/mo | $668,600 | +22% | +37% | $2,201/mo | +0.1% |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 26.1 | $2,596/mo | $813,900 | +27% | +39% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| Eugene, OR | 26.3 | $1,492/mo | $471,000 | +36% | +43% | $1,546/mo | +4.0% |
| Charleston, SC | 26.5 | $1,887/mo | $600,300 | +37% | +65% | $1,884/mo | +4.7% |
| Lakewood, CO | 26.6 | $1,853/mo | $592,200 | +30% | +37% | $2,169/mo | −0.5% |
| Austin, TX | 26.9 | $1,770/mo | $571,000 | +33% | +51% | $1,817/mo | +0.3% |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 26.9 | $2,370/mo | $766,300 | +33% | +43% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Corona, CA | 27.0 | $2,307/mo | $746,500 | +34% | +44% | $2,103/mo | +0.8% |
| Boise, ID | 27.1 | $1,535/mo | $498,500 | +47% | +60% | $1,540/mo | +3.7% |
| Boston, MA | 27.4 | $2,196/mo | $722,800 | +27% | +15% | $3,008/mo | +3.2% |
| Oxnard, CA | 27.6 | $2,111/mo | $698,000 | +37% | +40% | $2,424/mo | −1.3% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 27.8 | $2,133/mo | $710,700 | +23% | +18% | $2,819/mo | +0.8% |
| Alexandria, VA | 27.8 | $2,110/mo | $704,200 | +18% | +23% | $2,438/mo | +2.6% |
| Frisco, TX | 27.9 | $2,200/mo | $735,300 | +43% | +67% | $1,807/mo | +0.5% |
| Denver, CO | 28.4 | $1,870/mo | $636,400 | +30% | +42% | $2,169/mo | −0.5% |
| Reno, NV | 28.6 | $1,654/mo | $567,700 | +44% | +50% | $1,837/mo | +3.8% |
| Oceanside, CA | 28.9 | $2,370/mo | $820,800 | +31% | +52% | $2,823/mo | +2.5% |
| Salinas, CA | 29.1 | $1,972/mo | $687,700 | +25% | +44% | $2,416/mo | +3.2% |
| Santa Ana, CA | 29.5 | $2,184/mo | $772,600 | +34% | +38% | $3,057/mo | +3.3% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 29.7 | $1,720/mo | $612,600 | +23% | +43% | $1,759/mo | +0.2% |
| Portland, OR | 29.7 | $1,648/mo | $588,200 | +26% | +32% | $1,878/mo | +1.4% |
| Cary, NC | 29.7 | $1,820/mo | $649,600 | +40% | +63% | $1,689/mo | +1.1% |
| Chula Vista, CA | 29.9 | $2,338/mo | $839,000 | +36% | +54% | $2,823/mo | +2.5% |
| Hayward, CA | 31.6 | $2,333/mo | $884,700 | +19% | +37% | $2,805/mo | −4.8% |
| Washington, DC | 31.7 | $1,931/mo | $733,400 | +20% | +13% | $2,438/mo | +0.5% |
| Anaheim, CA | 32.9 | $2,258/mo | $892,200 | +30% | +42% | $3,057/mo | +3.3% |
| Garden Grove, CA | 33.2 | $2,184/mo | $870,000 | +22% | +44% | $3,057/mo | +3.3% |
| Arlington, VA | 33.6 | $2,347/mo | $945,700 | +18% | +25% | $2,438/mo | +2.6% |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 33.7 | $2,117/mo | $856,700 | +44% | +60% | $1,734/mo | +0.8% |
| San Diego, CA | 33.9 | $2,414/mo | $980,700 | +34% | +49% | $2,823/mo | +2.5% |
| New York, NY | 35.8 | $1,811/mo | $778,600 | +22% | +14% | $2,971/mo | +5.7% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 35.9 | $1,440/mo | $620,100 | +36% | +64% | $1,615/mo | +2.4% |
| Long Beach, CA | 36.1 | $1,962/mo | $849,500 | +34% | +38% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| Oakland, CA | 36.7 | $2,008/mo | $884,000 | +25% | +9% | $2,805/mo | −4.8% |
| Huntington Beach, CA | 38.7 | $2,507/mo | $1,163,800 | +29% | +39% | $3,057/mo | +3.3% |
| Honolulu, HI | 39.0 | $1,815/mo | $850,100 | +21% | +13% | $2,542/mo | +11.1% |
| Seattle, WA | 39.5 | $2,007/mo | $950,800 | +15% | +24% | $2,549/mo | +0.3% |
| San Jose, CA | 39.6 | $2,674/mo | $1,271,200 | +20% | +27% | $3,272/mo | −1.0% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 40.3 | $1,958/mo | $947,900 | +26% | +36% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| Irvine, CA | 40.7 | $3,091/mo | $1,510,300 | +25% | +62% | $3,057/mo | +3.3% |
| Fremont, CA | 42.3 | $2,914/mo | $1,478,200 | +13% | +36% | $2,805/mo | −4.8% |
| Glendale, CA | 44.4 | $2,221/mo | $1,182,800 | +29% | +44% | $2,964/mo | +1.2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 44.8 | $2,448/mo | $1,314,700 | +25% | +8% | $3,697/mo | −0.3% |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 49.6 | $2,889/mo | $1,719,600 | +8% | +10% | $3,272/mo | −1.0% |
| Bellevue, WA | 50.4 | $2,496/mo | $1,508,500 | +18% | +64% | $2,549/mo | +0.3% |
How to read the ratio
A common rule of thumb: under about 15, buying deserves a serious look if you'll stay several years; 15 to 20 depends on your timeline and the local trend; over 20, renting is usually cheaper month to month and buying is a longer-term bet on appreciation. Mortgage rates, property taxes, insurance, and how long you'll stay matter more than any city-wide ratio. The 5% rule is a more complete test.
Methodology and sources
- Cities: every US city (Census place) with 150,000+ residents in the American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, in the 50 states and DC. Cities are included only when both medians below have a 90% margin of error within 10% of the estimate; 186 cities qualify.
- Median rent: median gross rent (ACS table B25064), what renters pay including utilities, across all renter households, 2024.
- Median home value: median value of owner-occupied homes (ACS table B25077), owners' own estimates, 2024.
- Price-to-rent ratio: median home value ÷ (12 × median gross rent).
- Rent and value change: the same ACS medians, 2019 to 2024.
- HUD 2-bedroom FMR: HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the HUD area containing the city's principal county (by 2020 Census population), or the city's town in New England.
- Metro prices, past year: FHFA all-transactions house price index for the metro area or metro division containing the city's principal county (OMB 2023 delineations), change over the four quarters to 2026 Q2.
These are survey and index figures that trail the market by one to two years. They differ from listing-based numbers: our 30-city rent-or-buy table uses current asking rents and list prices, which run higher. Every figure is copied from the official downloads; nothing is estimated or adjusted.
How to cite
Predictye, “Price-to-Rent Ratios in 186 US Cities, Fall 2026,” October 16, 2026, www.predictye.com/reports/price-to-rent-ratios-2026. Data: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024, 2019); HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2027); FHFA House Price Index (through 2026 Q2).
Download the full table as CSV (186 rows).
Frequently asked questions
What is a price-to-rent ratio?
A city's median home value divided by a year of its median rent. A ratio of 20 means the typical home is worth 20 years of typical rent. The lower the ratio, the cheaper buying is compared with renting.
Which large US city has the lowest price-to-rent ratio?
Detroit, MI, at 7.3: its median home value is $95,900 against median rent of $1,091 a month.
Which has the highest?
Bellevue, WA, at 50.4: a median home value of $1,508,500 against median rent of $2,496 a month.
Can I use this data?
Yes. The underlying figures are published by the U.S. Census Bureau, HUD, and FHFA. Download the CSV, and please cite Predictye with a link to this page.