Sarah Martinez · Golden Key Realty
Am I better off renting?
Compares the true cost of both over time, counting appreciation, the cost of selling, and what the deposit would have earned if it stayed invested.
Rent vs buy
Buying costs less than renting from
Year 16
Cash to get in
$168,750
Cost of owning, 5 years
$242,870
Cost of renting, 5 years
$172,616
On these assumptions, buying passes renting in year 16. Sell before then and the cost of buying and selling has not been earned back yet.
This is the most assumption-heavy calculator here. Appreciation and investment returns are guesses, not forecasts — move them and watch how far the answer travels.
What each path has really cost you by then
| Owning | Renting | Ahead | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $106,903 | $34,763 | Renting by $72,140 |
| Year 2 | $141,929 | $69,395 | Renting by $72,534 |
| Year 3 | $176,292 | $103,907 | Renting by $72,385 |
| Year 4 | $209,953 | $138,310 | Renting by $71,643 |
| Year 5 | $242,870 | $172,616 | Renting by $70,254 |
| Year 6 | $274,998 | $206,837 | Renting by $68,161 |
| Year 7 | $306,291 | $240,989 | Renting by $65,301 |
| Year 8 | $336,698 | $275,088 | Renting by $61,610 |
| Year 9 | $366,168 | $309,150 | Renting by $57,018 |
| Year 10 | $394,643 | $343,195 | Renting by $51,448 |
| Year 11 | $422,064 | $377,244 | Renting by $44,820 |
| Year 12 | $448,368 | $411,318 | Renting by $37,050 |
| Year 13 | $473,487 | $445,443 | Renting by $28,044 |
| Year 14 | $497,350 | $479,644 | Renting by $17,707 |
| Year 15 | $519,881 | $513,949 | Renting by $5,932 |
| Year 20 | $609,551 | $688,209 | Buying by $78,659 |
| Year 25 | $651,412 | $867,977 | Buying by $216,565 |
| Year 30 | $628,844 | $1,048,942 | Buying by $420,099 |
While you're here
Monthly payment
What would the monthly payment be?
Affordability
What price should I be shopping at?
Budget → price
I can spend $X a month. What does that buy?
Cash to close
How much money do I need on the day?
Points buydown
Is paying points worth it?
PMI drop-off
How long am I paying mortgage insurance?
Refinance
Is it worth refinancing?