10-Year Rent vs Buy in San Francisco, CA

If you plan to stay in San Francisco for 10 years, here's how renting and buying compare.

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $217,992

Total Rent Paid
$467,726
Total Owner Costs
$1,464,375
Equity After Selling
$778,656

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 San Francisco, California

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

Your Scenario

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%
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10 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 Horizon10 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 $217,992 by renting

Over 10 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$3,898
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$9,616
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$467,726
Total Owner Costs
$1,464,375
Final Equity
$778,656
After selling costs
Break-Even Year
Never
Beyond horizon

Upfront Costs to Buy

Down Payment (20%)$270,000
Closing Costs (3%)$40,500
Total Needed$310,500

Cost Comparison Over Time

$1,464,375$1,171,500$878,625$585,750$292,875$00y1y2y3y4y5y6y7y8y9y10y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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