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Colorado Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Compare the true total cost of renting versus buying in Colorado. Pre-filled with Colorado median home price, average rent, property tax rates, and insurance costs.

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Buying Costs(Colorado defaults)

Renting Costs(Colorado defaults)

Comparison Settings

Colorado Market Context

Avg Cap Rate

4.8%

Median Price

$582K

Property Tax

0.52%

Vacancy Rate

4.5%

Local Factors

  • -Denver metro area has strong tech and outdoor-lifestyle driven demand
  • -Hailstorm and wildfire risk driving significant insurance cost increases
  • -Gallagher Amendment repeal in 2020 may shift residential property tax burden over time

7-Year Verdict

Rent

saves $109,234

Rent — Strong

Net Cost Over 7 Years

Buying$196,565
Renting$87,331

Buying Breakdown

Monthly Mortgage$3,098
Total Spent$487,969
Home Value (yr 7)$715,787
Equity Built$291,404
Net Cost of Buying$196,565

Renting Breakdown

Total Rent$166,888
Investment Gains$81,090
Net Cost of Renting$87,331

Where Buy Costs Go

TOTAL$354,109
Mortgage$260,202
Property Tax$23,190
Insurance$26,121
Maintenance$44,596

What does this mean?

Renting is $109,234 cheaper over 7 years. Even accounting for $291,404 in equity from buying, renting and investing the savings likely wins. The market may not be right for buying at this price point.

How the Rent vs. Buy Calculation Works

The rent vs. buy decision isn't just about comparing your monthly mortgage to your monthly rent. A fair comparison needs to account for all the hidden costs and benefits on both sides.

On the buy side: we calculate total mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and closing costs. Then we subtract the equity you build — both from paying down principal and from home appreciation.

On the rent side: we add up total rent payments (increasing annually) and renter's insurance. But we also credit you with the investment returns you could earn by investing your down payment and closing costs in the stock market instead.

The net cost for each option is total spent minus wealth gained. The option with the lower net cost wins. Keep in mind this is a purely financial comparison — the stability, freedom, and lifestyle value of each choice is personal.

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