Price vs Payment: Why That $500K House Might Actually Cost Less Than the $450K One

If you’re buying a home in DFW, you’ve probably been watching list prices like a hawk. Totally normal. The price tag feels like the biggest number.

But here’s what most buyers don’t realize:

The list price doesn’t tell you what the home will actually cost you each month.

In fact, I’ve seen plenty of cases where a $500,000 home ends up being more affordable per month than a $450,000 one. No joke.

Here’s why that happens and what you should actually be looking at when you’re buying.

What Really Affects Your Monthly Payment?

It’s not just the price. Your monthly payment includes a handful of other costs that can sneak up on you:

• Interest rate

• Property taxes

• Homeowner’s insurance

• HOA dues

• MUD or PID taxes

• Escrow and lender requirements

Those extras can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly payment depending on the neighborhood.

A Real Example

Let’s look at two homes.

Home A is $500,000

• Lower tax rate

• No HOA

• Lower insurance
  Estimated monthly payment: $3,200

Home B is $450,000

• Higher taxes

• $150/month HOA

• MUD tax

• Higher insurance
  Estimated monthly payment: $3,350

So yeah, the cheaper house could actually cost you more each month.

What To Focus On Instead

Don’t just filter by price. You’ve got to think about:

• What you want your monthly payment to be

• The hidden fees and taxes in each area

• What it will cost you to own the home, not just buy it

I help my buyers run these numbers every day so they can make smarter, more confident decisions.

Want Help With Yours?

I can run this breakdown for you in five minutes. Just shoot me a message with the word “Numbers” and I’ll send you a side-by-side comparison for homes in your price range.

It’s not just about buying a house. It’s about buying the right one.

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Courtney Benson

Courtney Benson Group | Real Broker

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