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Utah Rent vs. Buy Calculator

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

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Buying Costs(Utah defaults)

Renting Costs(Utah defaults)

Comparison Settings

Utah Market Context

Avg Cap Rate

4.5%

Median Price

$548K

Property Tax

0.45%

Vacancy Rate

4.8%

Local Factors

  • -Salt Lake City and Provo have strong tech sector growth (Silicon Slopes)
  • -Low property taxes and insurance keep holding costs down
  • -High home prices relative to rents compress cap rates

7-Year Verdict

Rent

saves $94,749

Rent — Strong

Net Cost Over 7 Years

Buying$167,324
Renting$72,575

Buying Breakdown

Monthly Mortgage$2,917
Total Spent$441,705
Home Value (yr 7)$673,971
Equity Built$274,381
Net Cost of Buying$167,324

Renting Breakdown

Total Rent$147,395
Investment Gains$76,353
Net Cost of Renting$72,575

Where Buy Costs Go

TOTAL$315,665
Mortgage$245,002
Property Tax$18,896
Insurance$9,777
Maintenance$41,990

What does this mean?

Renting is $94,749 cheaper over 7 years. Even accounting for $274,381 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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