RENT VS. OWN

Rent or buy? Run the math.

Compare the real multi-year cost of renting against owning in Bellingham — accounting for your down payment, the mortgage, taxes, upkeep, appreciation, and the equity you build. See which comes out ahead over the years you plan to stay, and roughly when buying breaks even.

1. If you rent

Monthly rent

Annual rent increase (%)

2. If you buy

Home price

Down payment (%)

Interest rate (%)

Loan term (years)

Property tax (% / yr)

Upkeep + insurance (% / yr)

HOA ($ / mo)

3. Your assumptions

Home appreciation (% / yr)

Years you’ll stay

Selling costs (%)

Over 7 years

Total rent paid$0

Net cost of owning (after equity)$0

Home equity when you sell$0

Owning is cheaper by$0

Buying breaks even after about 0 years.

A planning tool, not financial advice. Simplified: it estimates property tax and upkeep on the purchase price, and compares total rent to the net cost of owning (total outflow minus the equity you’d walk away with after selling costs). It does not model the investment return on a renter’s down payment, mortgage-interest deductions, or PMI. Your real numbers depend on rate, condition, and the specific home — let’s run them together.

See the Bellingham buyer’s guide