7-Year Rent vs Buy in San Francisco, CA

If you plan to stay in San Francisco for 7 years, here's how renting and buying compare.

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $220,619

Total Rent Paid
$312,628
Total Owner Costs
$1,109,565
Equity After Selling
$576,318

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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7 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 Horizon7 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 $220,619 by renting

Over 7 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$3,722
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$9,513
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$312,628
Total Owner Costs
$1,109,565
Final Equity
$576,318
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

$1,109,565$887,652$665,739$443,826$221,913$00y1y2y3y4y5y6y7y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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