To help young families zero in on where their dollar can go the furthest, online lender NetCredit<\/a> analyzed and compared average rental prices and average monthly homeownership costs (comprising principal and interest on the mortgage, property taxes and home insurance costs) across 268 major U.S. cities and 4,241 neighborhoods.<\/p>\n We found a wide range of locations where renters can save, from budget-friendly Midwestern cities to upscale West Coast neighborhoods where the gap between renting and buying is particularly pronounced.<\/p>\n For those prioritizing affordability, the neighborhoods below offer some of the strongest cases for renting. Each was found to have an average monthly rent of no more than $1,500.<\/p>\n Topping the list is Wildwood in Atlanta, Georgia, where renters pay an average of $1,464 per month compared to the $6,577 the average homeowner faces, giving a saving of 77.7%. Wildwood is a secluded, peaceful neighborhood popular with young families who may appreciate a chance to save while collecting the funds for a deposit.<\/p>\n Close behind is Western Hills in Omaha, Nebraska, where an average monthly rent of just $913 represents a 74.9% saving over the average monthly buying cost of $3,634 \u2014 the homes in Western Hills are recently built<\/a> and tend towards the luxury market.<\/p>\n Texas also makes a strong showing with neighborhoods in Fort Worth (69.5%), San Antonio (64.7% and 57.9%), Austin (61% and 60.4%) and El Paso (56.9%) all appearing in the top 20, reflecting this state\u2019s current rental market.<\/p>\n We found that nearly every state has at least one neighborhood where renting offers a significant financial advantage over buying, with the Arts District in Dallas making the strongest case for renting \u2014 with an average monthly rent of $1,882 and a homeownership cost of $17,329, renters in this Dallas neighborhood can save up to 89.1%.<\/p>\n Only two states didn\u2019t have neighborhoods where renting was cheaper than buying in their top five most populous cities: Vermont and Delaware.<\/p>\n In Delaware\u2019s case, all 12 qualifying neighborhoods we looked at are in the city of Wilmington, where residents have recently made the news<\/a> for protesting rising rent prices. Mayor John Carney has earmarked $16 million in incentives for developers to prioritize affordable housing for the lowest earners.<\/p>\n Next, we identified the cities with the highest average gap between average rental costs and homeownership costs. We found the gap between renting and buying is most pronounced among several more expensive cities where strong demand for housing has pushed home prices well above rental rates.<\/p>\n At the top of the list is Bellevue, Washington, with an average monthly rent of $2,582 against average monthly homeownership costs of $8,950, giving average savings of 71.1%. However, you may face higher rental costs for two- and three-bedroom homes, for which rents are rising<\/a> across the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area, while house prices remain stable despite an increase in available properties.<\/p>\n More moderately priced cities in the Midwest and the Mountain West also make a strong case for renting over buying. In Watertown, South Dakota, renters pay an average of just $825 per month and save 55.3% over buyers. Renters in Missoula, Montana, also pay less than $1,500 in rent per month and save an average of nearly $2,000 per month over homeowners.<\/p>\n Lastly, we considered all rental properties rather than just those under $1,500 as in the section above.<\/p>\n We found that some of the largest gaps between renting and buying occur in upscale neighborhoods where strong demand has pushed home values far higher than rental rates. In the Arts District in Dallas, for example, the average monthly rental costs $1,882, but the average monthly cost of homeownership is a staggering $17,329. This means renters in the area are saving 89.1% over homeowners on average. Covering 20 city blocks, this is America\u2019s \u201clargest contiguous urban arts district<\/a>\u201d and an astonishingly lively place to live \u2014 but perhaps not for too long.<\/p>\n Seven out of the 20 neighborhoods with the biggest gaps are in Southern California, and four of those are in L.A. The neighborhood in L.A. where residents save the most by renting is Beverlywood.<\/p>\n Investing in property is a big deal in this \u201c(almost) Beverly Hills-adjacent<\/a>\u201d neighborhood, where generations of wealthy suburbanites extensively added on to or even rebuilt their homes to add precious square footage. Today, the average rent is $3,020, and the average home mortgage price is $14,047 per month.<\/p>\n Renting offers some real benefits in many cities and neighborhoods across the U.S., and making the most of these advantages takes a little planning. Whether you\u2019re renting by choice or circumstance, here are some ways you can get the most out of it:<\/p>\n Rental prices can vary from city to city, but also from one neighborhood to the next within the same metro. Tools like Zillow\u2019s rental listings make comparing nearby options simple.<\/p>\n In markets where rental demand has softened, landlords are often more open to negotiating on price, lease length or included utilities. It’s always worth having the conversation and it just might help reduce your expenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to look at a map showing one neighborhood that costs $800 and another that costs $2,000 and opt for the cheaper one. But it\u2019s also important to factor in the price of happiness if you\u2019re able to. If an area costs less but doesn\u2019t have the things that make you happy, is it worth the savings?<\/p>\n Buying a home comes with a range of expenses<\/a>, but so does renting. Renters\u2019 insurance, parking and utilities can all add up \u2014 and may stretch renters thin<\/a>. Ensure you compare like-for-like when calculating the costs of different options to avoid unwelcome surprises.<\/p>\n The gap between renting and buying in many of the cities we\u2019ve analyzed is significant. If you\u2019re able, use that gap as an opportunity to channel those savings into a high-yield savings account or investment fund. This can help you build long-term financial security while renting. Be sure to consult with a financial advisor to determine the best investment options for your specific situation.<\/p>\n Housing markets evolve, and the gap between renting and buying can shift as interest rates and home prices fluctuate. Stay informed to be in a stronger position to make the right decision if your circumstances, or the market, change.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re considering whether to rent or buy, or just curious about how your area compares, use the filters and search box to find the American cities and neighborhoods where renters can save the most compared to buyers.<\/p>\nKey Findings: Renting vs. Buying<\/h2>\n
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![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.netcredit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/01_How-We-Calculated-Savings-for-Renters-vs-Buyers-Across-America-e1780599252850.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAtlanta\u2019s Wildwood neighborhood is the most affordable for renters compared to buyers.<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nThe best neighborhood for renters in every state.<\/h2>\n
![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.netcredit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/03_Renting-vs-Buying-by-State-Map-e1780599641250.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAt the city level, West Coast renters save the most.<\/h3>\n
![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.netcredit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/04_US-Cities-Where-Renters-Save-the-Most-Money-e1780599819886.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nUpscale neighborhoods in Texas, California and Washington see huge gaps in rental vs. buying costs.<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nMaking the most of renting in today\u2019s market.<\/h2>\n
1. Understand your local market.<\/h3>\n
2. Negotiate your lease.<\/h3>\n
3. Factor in the \u201ccost of happiness\u201d<\/h3>\n
4. Factor in the full cost of renting.<\/h3>\n
5. Build your savings deliberately.<\/h3>\n
6. Keep an eye on the market.<\/h3>\n
Explore the Data: Find your city or neighborhood.<\/h2>\n