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Austin Tx 30-Year Rent vs. Buy & S&P 500 Opportunity Cost Lab

Compare buying a 380,000 property in Austin Tx at 6.5% mortgage rates against renting for 1,800/mo and investing the down payment in the S&P 500.

Austin Tx Baseline: 380,000 Purchase Price vs. 1,800/mo Rent (Price-to-Rent Ratio: 17.6x).
FAQ: Is it better to rent or buy in Austin Tx in 2026?

With a Price-to-Rent ratio of 17.6x in Austin Tx, renting + investing the 20% down payment in the S&P 500 outperforms buying unless you hold for at least 7–9 years.