3-Year Rent vs Buy in San Jose, CA

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

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $210,386

Total Rent Paid
$118,691
Total Owner Costs
$696,431
Equity After Selling
$367,354

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 Jose, 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 $210,386 by renting

Over 3 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$3,297
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$10,081
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$118,691
Total Owner Costs
$696,431
Final Equity
$367,354
After selling costs
Break-Even Year
Never
Beyond horizon

Upfront Costs to Buy

Down Payment (20%)$290,000
Closing Costs (3%)$43,500
Total Needed$333,500

Cost Comparison Over Time

$696,431$557,145$417,858$278,572$139,286$00y1y2y3y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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