5-Year Rent vs Buy in San Jose, CA

If you plan to stay in San Jose for 5 years, here's how renting and buying compare.

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $250,414

Total Rent Paid
$203,871
Total Owner Costs
$942,449
Equity After Selling
$488,164

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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%
%
5 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 Horizon5 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 $250,414 by renting

Over 5 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$3,398
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$10,149
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$203,871
Total Owner Costs
$942,449
Final Equity
$488,164
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

$942,449$753,959$565,469$376,980$188,490$00y1y2y3y4y5y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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