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New York Rent vs. Buy Calculator

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

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Buying Costs(New York defaults)

Renting Costs(New York defaults)

Comparison Settings

New York Market Context

Avg Cap Rate

4.8%

Median Price

$576K

Property Tax

1.23%

Vacancy Rate

5.5%

Local Factors

  • -NYC has extremely strict rent stabilization laws covering ~1 million apartments
  • -Upstate NY offers much more affordable investment opportunities with higher cap rates
  • -2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act significantly limited landlord actions

7-Year Verdict

Rent

saves $66,540

Rent — Strong

Net Cost Over 7 Years

Buying$214,382
Renting$147,842

Buying Breakdown

Monthly Mortgage$3,066
Total Spent$502,782
Home Value (yr 7)$708,407
Equity Built$288,400
Net Cost of Buying$214,382

Renting Breakdown

Total Rent$226,564
Investment Gains$80,254
Net Cost of Renting$147,842

Where Buy Costs Go

TOTAL$370,302
Mortgage$257,520
Property Tax$54,287
Insurance$14,359
Maintenance$44,136

What does this mean?

Renting is $66,540 cheaper over 7 years. Even accounting for $288,400 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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