Knowing when to buy or rent can be a daunting task with many factors to consider. Below you’ll see data on where to buy or rent in the top 50 most populated cities and urban areas in the United States.

1. POINTS OF COMPARISON:
Knowing when to buy or rent can be a daunting
task. There's a lot to consider, and buying a
home is often the biggest investment of
someone's life. Below you'll see data on where
to buy or rent in the top 50 most populated
cities and urban areas in the United States.
Mortgage interest rates
Rent prices
House prices
Buy to rent ratio
Low number = better to buy
High number = better to rent
To develop the ranking, we took into consideration:

2. INDIANAPOLIS, IN MESA, AZ
-16.59%BUY:RENT RATIO
$119,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.62%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
24.86%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,075AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.03%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
Indianapolis has low average mortgage rates and
median home prices, but also large differentials
between downtown and the rest. It's not so much
that it's bad to rent as that there's a good space to
invest in the low end of the market.
Zillow lists the Mesa, Airzona market as very
hot for sellers, with values increasing 8% in
the last year. The median rent is lower than
the greater Phoenix metro area.
#1
RANKED #48
FOR RENT
RANKED #34
FOR BUY

3. LOUISVILLE, KY WICHITA, KS
-9.27%BUY:RENT RATIO
$126,500MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.63%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
6.42%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,049AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.51%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
Louisville has low average mortgage rate,
relatively low housing prices and small
differentials suggest that Louisville offers
good possibility.
Rent is quite low, lower than the metro area, and
average mortgage rates are high. There's not
much differential between inner and outercity.
Certainly a seller's market.
#2
RANKED #38
FOR RENT
RANKED #13
FOR BUY

4. DETROIT, MI TUCSON, AZ
-18.71%BUY:RENT RATIO
$37,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.91%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
47.76%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,062AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.75%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
Detroit was named the most affordable housing
market in late 2016. The medial list price is very low,
and with the city still recovering from the market
crash in 2008, there's room for investment.
According to Trulia, there was a 5% increase in
Tucson housing and rent prices last year.
#3
RANKED #36
FOR RENT
RANKED #12
FOR BUY

5. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK EL PASO, TX
-8.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$180,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.86%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
20.20%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,062AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#4
RANKED #20
FOR RENT
RANKED #10
FOR BUY

6. CLEVELAND, OH LAS VEGAS, NV
-15.62%BUY:RENT RATIO
$58,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.51%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
21.20%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,308AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.98%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#5
RANKED #47
FOR RENT
RANKED #29
FOR BUY

7. MEMPHIS, TN PHOENIX, AZ
10.95%BUY:RENT RATIO
$75,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
39.54%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,357AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#6
RANKED #21
FOR RENT
RANKED #30
FOR BUY

8. ALBUQUERQUE, NM KANSAS CITY, KS
33.89%BUY:RENT RATIO
$199,945MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.63%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
286.25%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,183AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.57%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#7
RANKED #9
FOR RENT
RANKED #47
FOR BUY

9. OMAHA, NE CHARLOTTE, NC
-21.05%BUY:RENT RATIO
$189,250MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
76.56%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,690AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#8
4.04% 3.97%
RANKED #22
FOR RENT
RANKED #40
FOR BUY

10. 33.89%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,051AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.63%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
MILWAUKEE, WI ALBUQUERQUE, NM
67.14%BUY:RENT RATIO
$104,995MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
#9
3.78%
RANKED #25
FOR RENT
RANKED #7
FOR BUY

11. 20.20%BUY:RENT RATIO
$151,600MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
42.02%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,161AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.06%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
EL PASO, TX BALTIMORE, MD
#10
RANKED #4
FOR RENT
RANKED #23
FOR BUY

12. 16.04%BUY:RENT RATIO
$220,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
19.68%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,426AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.97%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
FRESNO, CA JACKSONVILLE, FL
#11
RANKED #14
FOR RENT
RANKED #14
FOR BUY

13. 47.76%BUY:RENT RATIO
$180,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.75%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
-1.97%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,310AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.95%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
TUCSON, AZ ARLINGTON, TX
#12
RANKED #3
FOR RENT
RANKED #16
FOR BUY

14. 6.42%BUY:RENT RATIO
$139,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.51%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
51.13%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,592AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
WICHITA, KS RALEIGH, NC
#13
RANKED #2
FOR RENT
RANKED #48
FOR BUY

15. 16.04%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,352AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
19.68%BUY:RENT RATIO
$167,700MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.97%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
JACKSONVILLE, FL FRESNO, CA
#14
RANKED #11
FOR RENT
RANKED #11
FOR BUY

16. 52.19%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,715AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
-4.71%BUY:RENT RATIO
$215,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.12%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
FORT WORTH, TX MINNEAPOLIS, MN
#15
RANKED #27
FOR RENT
RANKED #44
FOR BUY

17. -1.97%BUY:RENT RATIO
$190,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.95%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
41.47%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,563AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.88%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
ARLINGTON, TX VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
#16
RANKED #12
FOR RENT
RANKED #45
FOR BUY

18. 1.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$154,500MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.85%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
93.93%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,846AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.14%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
TULSA, OK MIAMI, FL
#17
RANKED #42
FOR RENT
RANKED #50
FOR BUY

19. 2.30%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,158,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.73%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
30.60%BUY:RENT RATIO
$3,548AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.95%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA SAN JOSE, CA
#18
RANKED #49
FOR RENT
RANKED #39
FOR BUY

20. 5.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$219,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.09%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
75.10%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,538AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
SAN ANTONIO, TX COLUMBUS, OH
#19
RANKED #24
FOR RENT
RANKED #28
FOR BUY

21. -8.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,088AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.86%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
6.97%BUY:RENT RATIO
$250,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.96%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
CHICAGO, IL OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
#20
RANKED #45
FOR RENT
RANKED #4
FOR BUY

22. 10.95%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,240AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
16.45%BUY:RENT RATIO
$709,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.74%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
LOS ANGELES, CA MEMPHIS, TN
#21
RANKED #44
FOR RENT
RANKED #6
FOR BUY

23. -21.05%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,454AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
4.04%
29.53%BUY:RENT RATIO
$302,825MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
HOUSTON, TX OMAHA, NE
#22
3.79%
RANKED #41
FOR RENT
RANKED #8
FOR BUY

24. 42.02%BUY:RENT RATIO
$119,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.06%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
120.72%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,796AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.92%
BALTIMORE, MD NEW ORLEANS, LA
#23
RANKED #10
FOR RENT
RANKED #46
FOR BUY

25. 5.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,632AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.09%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
1.23%BUY:RENT RATIO
$729,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.84%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
NEW YORK CITY, NY SAN ANTONIO, TX
#24
RANKED #50
FOR RENT
RANKED #19
FOR BUY

26. 67.14%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,515AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.78%
28.69%BUY:RENT RATIO
$359,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.8%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
DALLAS, TX MILWAUKEE, WI
#25
RANKED #37
FOR RENT
RANKED #9
FOR BUY

27. 9.70%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,309AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.63%
37.50%BUY:RENT RATIO
$265,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.81%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
SACRAMENTO, CA COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
#26
RANKED #28
FOR RENT
RANKED #32
FOR BUY

28. -4.71%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,573AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.12%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
37.34%BUY:RENT RATIO
$308,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.75%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
NASHVILLE, TN FORT WORTH, TX
#27
RANKED #43
FOR RENT
RANKED #15
FOR BUY

29. 37.50%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,824AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.81%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
75.10%BUY:RENT RATIO
$134,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
COLUMBUS, OH SACRAMENTO, CA
#28
RANKED #19
FOR RENT
RANKED #26
FOR BUY

30. 21.20%BUY:RENT RATIO
$247,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.98%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
125.35%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,385AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.88%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
LAS VEGAS, NV PHILADELPHIA, PA
#29
RANKED #5
FOR RENT
RANKED #31
FOR BUY

31. 39.54%BUY:RENT RATIO
$249,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
60.26%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,401AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.91%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
PHOENIX, AZ AUSTIN, TX
#30
RANKED #6
FOR RENT
RANKED #38
FOR BUY

32. 125.35%BUY:RENT RATIO
$149,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.88%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
38.96%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,374AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
PHILADELPHIA, PA DENVER, CO
#31
RANKED #29
FOR RENT
RANKED #33
FOR BUY

33. 9.70%BUY:RENT RATIO
$279,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.63%
23.25%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,574AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.8%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO LONG BEACH, CA
#32
RANKED #26
FOR RENT
RANKED #42
FOR BUY

34. 38.96%BUY:RENT RATIO
$450,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
18.22%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,361AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
4.03%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
DENVER, CO PORTLAND, OR
#33
RANKED #31
FOR RENT
RANKED #36
FOR BUY

35. 24.86%BUY:RENT RATIO
$235,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.03%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
70.47%BUY:RENT RATIO
$3,387AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.86%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
MESA, AZ BOSTON, MA
#34
RANKED #1
FOR RENT
RANKED #43
FOR BUY

36. 62.96%BUY:RENT RATIO
$549,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.72%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
62.58%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,973AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. ATLANTA, GA
#35
RANKED #40
FOR RENT
RANKED #49
FOR BUY

37. -18.71%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,595AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.91%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
18.22%BUY:RENT RATIO
$399,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.03%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
PORTLAND, OR DETROIT, MI
#36
RANKED #33
FOR RENT
RANKED #3
FOR BUY

38. 28.69%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,761AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.8%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
48.37%BUY:RENT RATIO
$589,999MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
SEATTLE, WA DALLAS, TX
#37
RANKED #39
FOR RENT
RANKED #25
FOR BUY

39. 60.26%BUY:RENT RATIO
$375,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.91%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
-9.27%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,234AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.63%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
AUSTIN, TX LOUISVILLE, KY
#38
RANKED #30
FOR RENT
RANKED #2
FOR BUY

40. 30.60%BUY:RENT RATIO
$765,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.95%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
48.37%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,855AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
SAN JOSE, CA SEATTLE, WA
#39
RANKED #18
FOR RENT
RANKED #37
FOR BUY

41. 62.96%BUY:RENT RATIO
$3,383AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.72%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
76.56%BUY:RENT RATIO
$250,900MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.97%
CHARLOTTE, NC WASHINGTON, D.C.
#40
RANKED #8
FOR RENT
RANKED #35
FOR BUY

42. 29.53%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,922AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.79%
17.05%BUY:RENT RATIO
$573,450MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.74%
OAKLAND, CA HOUSTON, TX
#41
RANKED #46
FOR RENT
RANKED #22
FOR BUY

43. 23.25%BUY:RENT RATIO
$495,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.8%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
1.74%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,339AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.85%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
LONG BEACH, CA TULSA, OK
#42
RANKED #32
FOR RENT
RANKED #17
FOR BUY

44. 70.47%BUY:RENT RATIO
$630,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.86%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
37.34%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,006AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.75%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
BOSTON, MA NASHVILLE, TN
#43
RANKED #34
FOR RENT
RANKED #27
FOR BUY

45. 16.45%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,999AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.74%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
52.19%BUY:RENT RATIO
$230,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.87%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
MINNEAPOLIS, MN LOS ANGELES, CA
#44
RANKED #15
FOR RENT
RANKED #21
FOR BUY

46. 41.47%BUY:RENT RATIO
$275,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.88%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
6.97%BUY:RENT RATIO
$2,618AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.96%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA CHICAGO, IL
#45
RANKED #16
FOR RENT
RANKED #20
FOR BUY

47. 17.05%BUY:RENT RATIO
$3.525AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.74%
120.72%BUY:RENT RATIO
$172,700MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
3.92%
NEW ORLEANS, LA OAKLAND, CA
#46
RANKED #23
FOR RENT
RANKED #41
FOR BUY

48. -15.62%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,370AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.51%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
286.25%BUY:RENT RATIO
$160,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.57%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
KANSAS CITY, KS CLEVELAND, OH
#47
RANKED #7
FOR RENT
RANKED #5
FOR BUY

49. 51.13%BUY:RENT RATIO
$289,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.94%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
-16.59%BUY:RENT RATIO
$1,210AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.62%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
Indianapolis has low average mortgage rates and
median home prices, but also quite large
differentials between downtown and the rest. It's not
so much that it's bad to rent as that there's a good
space to invest.
In Raleigh there's a decrease in listings, an increase
in prices, and a decrease in time on the market. All
suggesting its a very competittive pricy housing
market. It also has quite a high interest rate and
large differentials.
RALEIGH, NC INDIANAPOLIS, IN
#48
RANKED #13
FOR RENT
RANKED #1
FOR BUY

50. 62.58%BUY:RENT RATIO
$259,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
3.83%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
2.30%BUY:RENT RATIO
$5,643AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.73%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
San Francisco has some of the highest rents in the
country, and demand isn't met, though an ongoing
apartment boom may solve the problem eventually.
Atlanta shows big differentials between inner and
outer city in housing prices, and a relatively high
mortgage rate. Prices apparently have been going
up, despite demand decreasing.
ATLANTA, GA SAN FRANCISCO, CA
#49
RANKED #35
FOR RENT
RANKED #18
FOR BUY

51. 93.93%BUY:RENT RATIO
$440,000MEDIAN HOUSE
PRICE
4.14%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
1.23%BUY:RENT RATIO
$4,630AVERAGE RENT
FOR 3BD APT
3.84%
MORTGAGE
INTEREST RATE
Unsurprisingly, New York rents are some of the
highest in the country next to San Francisco, CA.
Miami has very high mortgage rates, high median
rent, and a big differential between inner and outer
city. The market is slowing down, with an
oversaturation of housing, which may lead to
increased rentals.
MIAMI, FL NEW YORK CITY, NY
#50
RANKED #17
FOR RENT
RANKED #24
FOR BUY

52. SOURCES:
Zillow.com, Numbeo.com
http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/uscities_100.html
http://www.kansas.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article72510667.html
https://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Tucson-Arizona/
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/10/23/downtown-indy-booming-but-something-holding-housing-market-back/91906210/
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/01/26/housing-projects-real-estate-bay-area-construction.html
https://www.trulia.com/real_estate/New_York-New_York/
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/10/23/downtown-indy-booming-but-something-holding-housing-market-back/91906210/
https://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Louisville-Kentucky/market-trends/
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/09/detroit_named_most_affordable.html
http://www.homesinraleigh.org/raleigh-housing-report.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/09/19/atlanta-housing-market-sees-drop-in-demand.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/miamis-real-estate-market-slowdown-2016-12?IR=T