The affordability of homeownership seems to be a hot topic in 2025, and a new housing cost analysis has revealed that Dallas residents who are renting are getting a bargain: saving nearly $900 per month by renting rather than owning their homes.
The 2025 report, called "Renting vs. Buying: How Housing Costs Compare Across America," examined the median monthly homeownership and rent costs in 342 of the largest U.S. cities.
The study's findings revealed Dallas homeowners spend a median $2,381 on their monthly housing costs, whereas renters spend about $1,512 in comparison. That's an $869 price difference.
Dallas wasn't even the biggest city in terms of renters saving money — ranking No. 55 in the report's rankings of cities where homeownership is more expensive than renting.
This study compares median costs for each group of people regardless of what they're getting for that cost. Because of this, we only know how much more homeowners tend to pay in general — not how much more they'd pay for a comparable space.
Newark, New Jersey, ranked No. 1 on the list, with homeowners spending $2,641 per month on their homes, while renters only pay $1,341 a month, reflecting a whopping $1,300 difference.
As any Dallas-area resident knows, the real cost of living in the city doesn't just stop at the monthly mortgage or rent price. SmartAsset also factored in the cost of utilities, insurance, maintenance, and taxes to show the most accurate representation of the ongoing costs of renting versus owning a home.
"On the rental side, the cost of utilities can add a consistent, considerable amount to your costs," the report said. "For homeowners, mortgage costs are padded not only by utilities but homeowners’ insurance, property taxes and maintenance costs."
Housing costs in Dallas-area suburbs
The difference between Frisco (No. 57) renters and homeowners is greater than it is in Dallas, though both monthly costs are much higher in Frisco. The report found that homeowners' costs in the suburb outpace renters' by more than $1,200 per month, totaling $3,300. Renters pay only $2,099 a month.
Housing costs in Denton (No. 32) are similar to Dallas', though the city ranked higher on the list. Denton residents pay $2,291 a month to own their homes, while renters only pay $1,411. That means the gap between renters and owners is $880 per month.
In neighboring Fort Worth, residents are saving about $611 per month by renting rather than owning their homes. Homeowners are spending about $2,158 to maintain their homes, while renters only pay $1,547 a month.
The difference between home ownership versus renting is smallest in the far eastern suburbs of Mesquite and Garland.
Here's what the report says are the monthly housing costs in other Dallas-area suburbs:
- McKinney – $2,626 for homeowners; $1,862 for renters = $764
- Plano – $2,589 for homeowners; $1,848 for renters = $750
- Grand Prairie – $2,247 for homeowners; $1,612 for renters = $635
- Allen – $2,803 for homeowners; $2,064 for renters = $739
- Lewisville – $2,278 for homeowners; $1,678 for renters = $600
- Arlington – $2,005 for homeowners; $1,495 for renters = $510
- Richardson – $2,454 for homeowners; $1,834 for renters = $580
- Irving – $2,185 for homeowners; $1,650 for renters = $535
- Carrollton – $2,314 for homeowners; $1,770 for renters = $544
- Mesquite – $1,722 for homeowners; $1,487 for renters = $235
- Garland – $1,896 for homeowners; $1,678 for renters = $218
Residents in any major city who are considering buying their first house must consider all monthly financial costs before deciding to leave the rental life behind. Potentially large bills, like property taxes, can sneak up on some homeowners if they don't educate themselves properly prior to buying a home. (Thankfully, there are ways to save money in that category.)
"These hidden costs can add up and change the dynamics of tradeoffs between the flexibility of renting versus the security of owning your own home," the report added.
