Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Texas and Virginia. Updated for 2026.
Texas and Virginia are evenly matched across major housing cost categories. Your decision may come down to other factors like job market, climate, or lifestyle preferences. Use the calculators below to model your specific scenario.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
The monthly payment difference is $179/month — that’s $2,148/year or $64K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Texas is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in Virginia, you need a household income of approximately $122K/year. In Texas, you need $114K/year — less by $8K/year. The $8K difference is meaningful but manageable for dual-income households.
Texas offers meaningfully lower home prices than Virginia, with median prices running 23% less ($90K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Virginia may find Texas far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Virginia has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.82% versus Texas's 1.8%. While the rate gap of 0.98% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $2,300 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $18K in savings.
Homeowners insurance is significantly cheaper in Virginia ($1,700/year) compared to Texas ($3,800/year). That's an extra $2,100 per year — or $175/month — eating into your budget in Texas. Texas's high insurance costs are often driven by severe weather risks (hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires), which also affect availability of coverage.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Texas's TDHCA My First Texas Home provides Up to 5% DPA grant, while Virginia's Virginia Housing DPA Grant offers Up to 2.5% grant. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: insurance costs heavily tilt the scales. Texas homeowners pay $3,800/year for coverage versus $1,700 in Virginia — a $2,100 annual gap. If you're budgeting for a home in Texas, make sure to factor in this ongoing expense. It can make an otherwise affordable market surprisingly costly month-to-month.