5-Year Rent vs Buy in Boston, MA
If you plan to stay in Boston for 5 years, here's how renting and buying compare.
🔑 Renting Appears Better
Potential savings by renting: $61,664
Total Rent Paid
$184,758
Total Owner Costs
$488,820
Equity After Selling
$242,399
Customize Your Analysis
The above results use default assumptions. Adjust the inputs below to match your specific situation.
Rent vs Buy in Boston, Massachusetts
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 $61,664 by renting
Over 5 years
Monthly Cost (Rent)
$3,079
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$5,387
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$184,758
Total Owner Costs
$488,820
Final Equity
$242,399
After selling costs
Break-Even Year
Never
Beyond horizon
Upfront Costs to Buy
Down Payment (20%)$144,000
Closing Costs (3%)$21,600
Total Needed$165,600
Cost Comparison Over Time
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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