For many first-time buyers and anyone tired of watching rent rise year after year, the question usually comes down to one thing: Can I truly afford to own a home? 

 

In the Troy, TX market, the affordability answer is more favorable than many expect. Flintrock Builders’ College Park community, starting with an attainable townhome at a $160k price point, presents an exceptional opportunity for renters to transition into ownership, often for less than they would spend on a comparable apartment.

 

This report delivers a clear, hard-numbers financial comparison between renting in Troy and owning one of the Troy, TX, Townhomes at College Park. Using conservative 2026 projections, we demonstrate a major market reality: when you calculate true cost, not just the monthly payment, owning results in a lower Net Effective Monthly Cost (NEMCO) than renting.

The 2026 Financial Baseline: Rent vs. Mortgage Outlay

This section establishes the projected 2026 Total Monthly Outlay (TMO) for a renter versus a buyer. The comparison includes the projected 2026 Troy, TX Property Taxes, conservative mortgage rate forecasts, and typical ownership costs.

 

To begin, we compare the monthly cost of renting a 2 to 3-bedroom apartment in the Troy/Temple market, projected to reach $1,606 by 2026, against the two most common financing paths for buyers purchasing at the College Park Townhomes price of $160,000.

 

2026 Total Monthly Outlay (TMO)

  • 2026 Market Rent TMO: $1,606.00
  • Conventional 5% Down TMO: $1,650.30
  • FHA 3.5% Down TMO: $1,661.31

 

These ownership numbers include:

  • Principal & Interest (P&I)
  • Troy, TX Property Taxes
  • Homeowners Insurance (I)
  • Mortgage Insurance (MI)
  • Mandatory $174/month HOA dues

 

At first glance, renting appears cheaper, by about $44 to $55 per month. But the gross outlay does not reflect the real cost of occupancy. Once tax benefits are included, the financial picture shifts dramatically.

The True Cost of Occupancy: NEMCO vs. Sunk Costs

The shift from TMO to Net Effective Monthly Cost of Occupancy (NEMCO) is where owning clearly outperforms renting. While rent is a 100% sunk (or non-recoverable) cost, every mortgage payment includes federally deductible portions. 

 

For owners at College Park, the combined deductions from mortgage interest and property taxes yield an estimated $2,730 in annual federal tax recovery for a buyer in a 22% bracket. That is $227.54 per month in real dollars returned to the homeowner.

 

Why this matters:

  • Rent gives zero return.
  • Mortgage interest + taxes produce measurable financial benefit.
  • Owners reduce their real monthly burden by offsetting a portion of their TMO.

Wealth Creation: From Renter to Equity Builder

This section highlights the powerful combination of Troy’s low property tax rate (1.3596%), the forced-savings nature of a mortgage, and the price point of these Flintrock Builders’ College Park units.

 

Troy’s lower-than-average tax structure, combined with rising home values and principal paydown, makes ownership a long-term wealth engine. In just five years, the average College Park Townhome owner builds approximately $27,700 in equity, while a renter builds none.

The Final Comparison: Ownership Wins by $183/Month

By calculating the Net Effective Monthly Cost of Occupancy (NEMCO) and subtracting the estimated tax recovery from the Total Monthly Outlay, the financial advantage of ownership is definitively proven.

2026 Market Rent (Comparable 3-Bed): $1,606/month (100% Sunk Cost) 

FHA (3.5% Down):

  • TMO: $1,661.31
  • NEMCO: $1,433.77

Conventional (5% Down):

  • TMO: $1,650.30
  • NEMCO: $1,422.76

 

The Bottom Line: Owning a College Park Townhome is $172–$183 cheaper per month than renting in Troy, TX. That’s up to $2,196 saved per year, plus over $27,000 in equity accumulation over five years. The renter’s financial return is zero.

The Numbers Don’t Lie 

Renting a $1,606 apartment in Troy, TX, produces no return and no long-term benefit. By contrast, owning a Townhome in College Park lowers your Net Effective Monthly Cost, locks in long-term payment stability, and builds thousands in equity. 

 

When you run the real 2026 financial comparison (TMO, tax savings, equity gain), ownership isn’t just affordable. It’s the most financially advantageous path available.

 

Your path to wealth-building homeownership starts at College Park Townhomes by Flintrock Builders. If you’re ready to explore Rent vs Own in Troy, TX, now is the time to take the next step. 

Stop paying your landlord’s mortgage. Start building your own future today. Contact Flintrock Builders at (254) 791-7685, view our communities and floorplans, or speak with a preferred lender about securing your personalized net effective monthly cost analysis.