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Rent vs. Buy in San Diego

Should I Rent or Buy?

Compare the true cost of owning and renting for any San Diego price, side by side, year by year, at this week’s mortgage rate.

Assumptions

Over 7 years

—

Net cost of buying—
Net cost of renting—
Buying pulls ahead in—

Buying Renting · cumulative net cost by year

Talk it through with Jeff

Estimates only, not financial or tax advice. Mortgage interest and property tax deductions are not included because they depend on your tax situation. Rate from Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 29, 2026.

Questions

Common questions

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in San Diego?
Month to month, renting is usually cheaper in San Diego today. Buying tends to win the longer you stay, because your payment is fixed, the loan is paid down and the home can appreciate. The calculator shows the year when buying pulls ahead for your numbers.
How long do I need to stay for buying to make sense?
It depends on price, rent, rate and appreciation. With typical assumptions many San Diego buyers break even somewhere between 5 and 10 years. Selling costs are the main reason short stays favor renting.
What does the calculator count?
For buying: down payment, closing costs, mortgage interest, property tax, insurance, HOA, maintenance, and the cost of selling at the end, minus the equity you keep. For renting: rent and renter’s insurance, minus what your down payment would have earned if invested.
Get Started

Get in touch with Jeff

Questions about your neighborhood or your home’s value? Ask Jeff.

Prefer to talk? Call or text (858) 324-4448 or email jeffbrick@gmail.com.

Free · once a month · on the 8th

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