Realtor.com® July Rent Report: Renting a Starter Home Costs Less Than Buying in All 50 Largest U.S. Metros, but the Gap Is Narrowing

Renting a starter home remains less expensive than buying in all 50 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, according to the Realtor.com® July 2026 Rent Report. However, home price, rent trends, and wage growth in seven markets suggest a buying opportunity may be near, even as the Realtor.com® Market Clock® is signaling buyer friendly or buyer-leaning conditions in these areas. As the advantages of renting have narrowed over the past year as starter-home costs declined more quickly than rent