1. Berkeley, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $2,009
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $4,000+
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,991
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,445,100
2. San Francisco, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $2,308
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $4,000+
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,692
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,343,700
3. Oakland, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,838
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,395
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,557
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $913,600
4. Elizabeth, New Jersey
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,391
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $2,896
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,505
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $450,800
5. Glendale, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $2,009
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,512
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,503
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,036,800
6. Pasadena, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,985
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,457
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,472
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,137,500
7. Los Angeles, California
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,788
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,239
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,451
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $903,700
8. Sandy Springs, Georgia
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,713
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,132
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,419
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $649,500
9. Seattle, Washington
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,877
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $3,250
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,373
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $924,200
10. New York, New York
    • Median monthly gross rent: $1,688
    • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $2,991
    • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: $1,303
    • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $724,400

Top 10 Cities Where Renters Pay More Than Homeowners

1. Surprise, Arizona
   • Median monthly gross rent: $2,064
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,696
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$368
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $455,200
2. San Tan Valley, Arizona
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,843
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,566
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$277
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $439,700
3. Lehigh Acres, Florida
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,598
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,431
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$167
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $294,800
4. Brandon, Florida
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,718
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,563
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$155
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $325,500
5. Gilbert, Arizona
   • Median monthly gross rent: $2,064
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,918
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$146
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $602,000
6. Cape Coral, Florida
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,801
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,694
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$107
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $379,600
7. Peoria, Arizona
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,860
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,785
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$75
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $493,400
8. Meridian, Idaho
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,789
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,739
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$50
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $571,100
9. Spring Hill, Florida
   • Median monthly gross rent: $1,273
   • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,253
   • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$20
   • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $281,100
10. Palm Bay, Florida
    • Median monthly gross rent: $1,438
    • Median monthly housing costs for homeowners: $1,420
    • Difference between median costs for homeowners versus renters: -$18
    • Estimated median value of owner-occupied homes: $283,300

Data and Methodology

To find the net difference in mortgage and rent costs, we compared the following variables from 343 cities with populations over 100,000 people for which data was available. All data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey.

• Mortgage cost: The median monthly housing costs for owner-occupied housing units with a mortgage. This includes the cost of mortgage, insurance, taxes, common utilities, and any applicable condominium and mobile home fees. For Berkeley and San Francisco, this data was $4,000+.
• Rent cost: The gross median monthly rent for occupied units paying rent. This includes the cost of rent plus average utility and fuel costs.
• Median home value data: Estimated median value or owner-occupied housing units.