Local Cost Calculator

Rent vs buy calculator

Compare rent vs buy estimates across 6 US markets, then open city-specific calculators with local ZIP samples, formula details, public data sources, and planning limits. Published planning ranges span Buy premium: $1,000 to $5,525 per month; they are estimates, not a quote.

Calculators
8
Markets
6
City pages
48

All calculators

Choose a model, then tune the local inputs.

Inputs

Compare rent against a mortgage-based ownership estimate using Census defaults and current PMMS rate.

Calculator directory

Open a city-specific calculator page for each model, or stay in the workspace above and switch calculators instantly.

Markets covered

Each market uses city-level public data and sample ZIP codes so the same calculator can adapt to local cost pressure.

Data transparency

Cost ranges are computed from public snapshots: Census city housing and income data, EIA residential electricity prices, PVWatts production, BLS wage baselines, IRS mileage, and Freddie Mac mortgage rates. Advertising benchmarks are kept as context only and never treated as a revenue guarantee.

Data cachePartial refresh

Refreshed Jul 1, 2026

6 of 6 markets fully refreshed

9 of 9 source groups refreshed

Accuracy notes

Partial refresh; 9 of 9 live source groups refreshed; 1 warning.

  • eiaEIA_API_KEY was not provided; used the official EIA monthly HTML table fallback.
Source: LocaliQ 2026 Search Advertising Benchmarks

Published planning estimates by market

Buy premium: $1,000 to $5,525 per month. Prices are in US dollars and use the per-month basis shown below.

Partial snapshot generated July 1, 2026. Refreshed market inputs are combined with stored public benchmark inputs; each source shows its own retrieval date.

Rent vs buy in Austin, TX

ZIP samples: 78701, 78704, 78745

Low
$2,075
Typical
$2,475
High
$3,075

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $2,479/mo above rent

Rent vs buy in Phoenix, AZ

ZIP samples: 85001, 85016, 85032

Low
$1,000
Typical
$1,200
High
$1,500

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $1,205/mo above rent

Rent vs buy in San Diego, CA

ZIP samples: 92101, 92109, 92130

Low
$3,275
Typical
$3,900
High
$4,825

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $3,897/mo above rent

Rent vs buy in Miami, FL

ZIP samples: 33101, 33131, 33186

Low
$1,525
Typical
$1,825
High
$2,275

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $1,822/mo above rent

Rent vs buy in Denver, CO

ZIP samples: 80202, 80211, 80220

Low
$1,900
Typical
$2,275
High
$2,825

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $2,264/mo above rent

Rent vs buy in Seattle, WA

ZIP samples: 98101, 98103, 98115

Low
$3,750
Typical
$4,450
High
$5,525

Per month; a planning range, not a quote or guarantee.

Buy premium: $4,453/mo above rent

Assumptions and model basis

  • ownership = 30-year PMMS mortgage payment after 20% down + state property-tax proxy + insurance + maintenance; compare against user rent or Census median gross rent.
  • Local cost index is derived from public housing, rent, and household-income data; it is a cost-pressure proxy, not a contractor bid database.
  • Does not include permit surprises, structural defects, financing points, rebates, taxes beyond listed assumptions, or bid availability.

Coverage limitations

  • It is not a loan quote, tax advice, appraisal, or recommendation to buy or rent.
  • It excludes closing costs, HOA dues, opportunity cost, income-tax treatment, appreciation, and personal liquidity needs.

Source coverage