The 10 best US cities to buy a home — and 10 where you should rent

• A Zumper analysis looked at the financial benefit of renting versus buying in major cities.
• Migration trends have recently made some unexpected cities more renter-friendly.
• In a few expensive cities, the rents outpace mortgage payments, making buying a better option.

Below, 10 cities where it’s better to buy a home, and 10 cities where it’s better to rent, according to Zumper.

Cities where it’s better to rent

10. Boise, ID

Price-to-rent ratio: 27.816

NAR median house price: $484,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $2,868

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,450

1. San Francisco, CA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 28.655

NAR median house price: $1,350,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $7,758

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $3,926

1. Reno, NV
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 28.958

NAR median house price: $602,900

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $3,397

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,735

1. San Diego, CA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 31.05

NAR median house price: $1,050,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $6,026

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,818

1. Portland, OR
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 32.415

NAR median house price: $585,800

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $3,583

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,506

1. Seattle, WA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 32.649

NAR median house price: $772,600

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $4,547

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,972

1. Salt Lake City, UT
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 34.863

NAR median house price: $576,500

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $3,306

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,378

1. Urban Honolulu, HI
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 36.717

NAR median house price: $1,175,100

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $6,300

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,667

1. Anaheim, CA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 47.829

NAR median house price: $1,442,900

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $8,216

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,514

1. San Jose, CA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 55.049

NAR median house price: $2,030,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $11,666

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $3,073

Cities where it’s better to buy

10. Buffalo, NY

Price-to-rent ratio: 15.631

NAR median house price: $262,600

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $1,686

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,400

1. El Paso, TX
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.912

NAR median house price: $272,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $2,246

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,520

1. Virginia Beach, VA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.898

NAR median house price: $362,200

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $2,260

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,026

1. New Orleans, LA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.838

NAR median house price: $293,800

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $1,854

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,650

1. Rochester, NY
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.836

NAR median house price: $252,800

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $1,896

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,420

1. Charleston, SC
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.787

NAR median house price: $459,500

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $2,754

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,590

1. Chicago, IL
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.549

NAR median house price: $384,100

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $2,726

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $2,200

1. New York, NY
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 14.205

NAR median house price: $750,000

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $4,594

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $4,400

1. Pittsburgh, PA
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 13.033

NAR median house price: $234,600

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $1,501

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,500

1. Syracuse, NY
   

   

Price-to-rent ratio: 12.611

NAR median house price: $249,700

Monthly homeowner cost (PITI): $1,887

Zumper monthly all-bed rent: $1,650