5-Year Rent vs Buy in Seattle, WA

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

🔑 Renting Appears Better

Potential savings by renting: $119,686

Total Rent Paid
$152,903
Total Owner Costs
$550,337
Equity After Selling
$277,749

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 Seattle, Washington

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

Your Scenario

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%
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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 $119,686 by renting

Over 5 years

Monthly Cost (Rent)
$2,548
Average
Monthly Cost (Own)
$6,010
Average (excl. equity)
Total Rent Paid
$152,903
Total Owner Costs
$550,337
Final Equity
$277,749
After selling costs
Break-Even Year
Never
Beyond horizon

Upfront Costs to Buy

Down Payment (20%)$165,000
Closing Costs (3%)$24,750
Total Needed$189,750

Cost Comparison Over Time

$550,337$440,270$330,202$220,135$110,067$00y1y2y3y4y5y
Total Rent Paid
Total Owner Costs
Net Cost (After Equity)
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