3-Year Rent vs Buy in Los Angeles, CA

If you plan to stay in Los Angeles for 3 years, here's how renting and buying compare.

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $113,908

Total Rent Paid
$103,854
Total Owner Costs
$458,443
Equity After Selling
$240,680

Compare Other Time Horizons

Customize Your Analysis

The above results use default assumptions. Adjust the inputs below to match your specific situation.

Rent vs Buy in Los Angeles, California

Should you rent or buy a home? Calculate your best option.

Your Scenario

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$
%
%
3 years
1 years30 years

Explore Scenarios

Adjust these sliders to see how different assumptions affect your decision.

Mortgage Rate7.00%
5%7%9%
Home Appreciation3.0%
0%3%5%
Rent Growth3.0%
0%3%6%
Time Horizon3 years
35710

💡 Tips

  • • Higher mortgage rates favor renting
  • • Higher home appreciation favors buying
  • • Higher rent growth favors buying
  • • Longer time horizons typically favor buying
🔑Renting is Better

You could save $113,908 by renting

Over 3 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$2,885
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$6,665
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$103,854
Total Owner Costs
$458,443
Final Equity
$240,680
After selling costs
Break-Even Year
Never
Beyond horizon

Upfront Costs to Buy

Down Payment (20%)$190,000
Closing Costs (3%)$28,500
Total Needed$218,500

Cost Comparison Over Time

$458,443$366,754$275,066$183,377$91,689$00y1y2y3y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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