Rent vs. Buy Calculator for Northern Colorado

Is it cheaper to keep renting or to buy? Enter your rent and the kind of home you'd buy. The calculator compares where your money ends up after the years you plan to stay, counting equity, appreciation and what your savings would earn if you kept renting.

How it works

• Buying costs include principal and interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, maintenance (1% of the home's value per year), and mortgage insurance while you have less than 20% equity. It also counts about 3% in closing costs up front and about 7% in selling costs when you sell.
• Renting costs are your rent, which rises each year by the rate you choose.
• To keep the comparison fair, the money a renter doesn't spend on a down payment, closing costs or higher monthly costs is assumed to be invested at 5% a year. If renting costs more each month, the buyer invests the difference instead.
• Defaults reflect late October 2026: a 30-year rate near 7.3% (Freddie Mac), Colorado's roughly 0.5% effective property tax rate, Colorado's high homeowners insurance costs, and 4% yearly price growth, close to the average for Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties since 2000 (FHFA). Prices have been roughly flat over the past year, so try a lower growth rate too. Tax deductions are not included.

Estimates only, for general information. Not a loan offer or financial advice. Your rate, payment and costs depend on your lender, credit and the home you choose. Matt Starr, New Horizons Real Estate Team, brokered by LoKation Real Estate.