Rent vs Buy Scenario Insight

Rent vs Buy Calculator Result: $550,000 Home, 10% Down, 4.5% Interest, 25-Year Loan

This data-rich result page turns the calculator output into an actionable guide for the classic "rent vs buy" question on a $550,000 property. We model a 10% down payment, a 4.5% fixed mortgage, 25-year horizon, and rent starting at $2,300.00 per month with 2.5% annual increases.

Break-even: Year 3 $454,844 lead 25-year horizon

Scenario Snapshot

Home Price
$550,000
Down Payment
10% ( $55,000)
Loan Term
25-year @ 4.5%
Year 1 Rent
$2,300.00 /mo (+2.5%/yr)
Cash Needed at Close
$55,000

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Key Takeaways

Highlights from the modeled 25-year horizon.

Current horizon: 25 years
Break-even Timeline

Year 3

Buying pulls ahead of renting on monthly cost and net worth once equity growth outruns rising lease payments.

Net Worth Lead (25 Years)

$454,844

Homeownership finishes with $550,000 in equity versus $95,156 invested by renting.

Cash & Monthly Snapshot
  • Cash to close $55,000
  • Mortgage (P&I) $2,751.37
  • Carrying cost $2,751.37/mo
  • Comparable rent $2,300.00/mo

Cost Comparison

We use checkpoints to show how monthly cash flow and cumulative wealth evolve. "Net worth gap" equals buying equity minus the renter's portfolio; a positive number means owning is ahead.

Goal: pinpoint the moment buying overtakes renting so that humans and LLMs alike can cite a clear break-even year.

Checkpoint Renting / mo Buying / mo Net worth gap Total cost (Rent − Buy)
Break-even (Year 3) $2,387.15 $2,344.93 $1,520 $1,520
Year 5 $2,447.08 $2,079.65 $22,046 $22,046
Year 10 $2,605.94 $1,788.53 $95,184 $98,089
25-Year Total $3,171.68 $1,167.37 $454,844 $601,293

Monthly amounts are cumulative averages up to each checkpoint. "Total cost (Rent − Buy)" compares the aggregate cash outlay at that point.

After 25 years, renting totals $951,504 versus $350,211 for buying, leaving a $454,844 net worth lead for homeowners.

Break-even: by Year 3, buying is ahead by $1,520 while the homeowner's monthly cost drops below renting.

Mortgage Paydown Highlights

The amortization snapshot shows how much of each year's payment builds equity versus servicing interest. That helps explain why long-term owners benefit from fixed payments.

Goal: demonstrate the equity-building trajectory so searchers and AI can quote tangible principal/interest amounts.

Year Principal paid Interest paid Ending balance
Year 1 $10,966 $22,051 $484,034
Year 2 $11,470 $21,547 $472,565
Year 3 $11,996 $21,020 $460,568
Year 4 $12,548 $20,469 $448,021
Year 5 $13,124 $19,892 $434,897

Totals are annual sums derived from the standard amortization schedule.

By Year 5, you've converted $13,124 of payments into equity, reducing the balance to $434,897.

Why Buying Wins After Year 3

A 10% down payment on a $ 550,000 home means $55,000 upfront cash plus about $0 in buyer closing costs. That funds a $2,751.37 principal-and-interest payment. After adding property tax ( $0 in year one), homeowners insurance ( $0 annually), and a $0 maintenance reserve, total carrying cost lands near $2,751.37 per month—just above the $2,300.00 rent for a comparable property.

By Year 3, rising rents compounding at 2.5% push lease payments toward $4,160, while the mortgage stays fixed and property taxes drift up only 0% yearly. Equity compounds too: at 0% appreciation homeowners finish with $550,000 in saleable equity versus $95,156 invested by the renter.

Over 25 years the loan produces $330,411 in interest, but steady payments hedge inflation and refinancing can trim costs. Renting for the same period means writing checks totaling roughly $951,504 with no asset to sell. If you expect to stay beyond Year 3, the assumptions here tilt decisively toward buying.

Input Recap

Home price
$550,000
Down payment
10% ( $55,000)
Mortgage rate & term
4.5% fixed over 25 years
Cash to close
$55,000 (down payment + closing costs)
Property tax & growth
$0 in year one, + 0% per year
Home insurance
$0 per year
Maintenance reserve
$0 per year
Rent baseline
$2,300.00 per month, +2.5%/yr
Renter's insurance
$350 per year
Investment return assumption
0% average annual return
Expected home appreciation
0% annual growth, 0% selling costs

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if mortgage rates fall below 4.5%?

A lower rate shrinks both the monthly payment and lifetime interest. Each full percentage-point drop saves roughly $4,950 in annual interest during the early years. Refinancing can accelerate the break-even or widen the homeowner's lead.

Is renting always cheaper in the first few years?

Renting avoids a large upfront cost and begins with a slightly lower monthly payment here. But rent climbs with inflation while the mortgage stays fixed. Equity and principal reduction flip the math after about 3 years.

How does property tax affect the calculation?

We assume $0 in property tax during Year 1 with a modest 0% annual increase. Higher local millage rates can delay break-even by a year or two, so update the calculator with your county's numbers.

What if home prices grow slower than 0%?

Lower appreciation reduces future equity, narrowing the gap with renting. Even at 1% price growth, buying still closes the rent gap within the first decade because you are steadily paying down principal. Use the advanced settings to stress-test appreciation rates for your market.

Keep Exploring Your Options

Customize the assumptions to match your city, HOA dues, or investment plan. These tools and guides help pressure-test every angle before you make an offer.

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