The affordability of homeownership seems to be a hot topic this year, and a new housing cost analysis has revealed San Antonio residents are saving $500 per month by renting rather than owning their homes.
The 2025 SmartAsset 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 San Antonio homeowners spend a median $1,784 on their monthly housing costs, whereas renters spend about $1,284 in comparison.
San Antonio ranked No. 119 in the report's list of cities where homeownership is more expensive than renting.
Newark, New Jersey ranked No. 1 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 San Antonio-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."
Renters in New Braunfels (No. 255) save slightly less money per month than their homeowning counterparts do, though both monthly costs are still lower than San Antonio's. The report found homeowners in the suburb spend $2,072 per month to own and maintain their homes, while renters spend only $1,809 a month. That means New Braunfels homeowners are paying $339 more per month to own their homes.
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, such as property taxes, can sneak up on some homeowners if they don't educate themselves properly prior to buying a home.
"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.
