Rent vs Buy: Joint Filing + FHA Loan

Compare renting vs buying with a 30-yr FHA loan for couples filing jointly. Factor in costs, taxes, MIP & investments to see which option costs less over time.

Last update Dec 2024
  • Scenario 1: Cost of Homeownership
  • Scenario 2: Cost of Renting
  • Which One Is Higher (%)

This chart shows the total cost of living under two scenarios, factoring in missed investments, rent increases, taxes, and equity growth. The higher curve shows the costlier option.

# Years from Now
Try your numbers:

Enter the total price of the home you plan to buy. This is the base for calculating your loan amount, upfront costs, and appreciation over time.

A =

Enter the percentage of the purchase price you plan to pay upfront. FHA loans require a minimum of 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher. With 10%+ down, Annual MIP drops off after 11 years.

B =

Enter the FHA Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium rate. It’s typically 1.75% of the loan amount and can be rolled into the mortgage.

C =

Enter the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium rate for FHA loans. It’s usually 0.45%–1.05%, depending on loan size and term, and lasts for 11+ years.

D =

Enter the annual interest rate on your loan. FHA loans often have competitive rates but higher insurance costs.

E =

Enter additional upfront buying costs like closing fees, legal fees, and prepaid expenses.

F =

Enter the annual property tax rate as a percentage of the home price. This adds to the cost of owning a home and may vary by location.

G =

Enter the monthly HOA or strata fees if applicable. These cover shared property maintenance and amenities.

H =

Enter the estimated monthly cost of maintaining your home, including repairs, landscaping, and other upkeep expenses.

I =

Enter your current monthly rent payment. This will be compared against the cost of owning a home with an FHA loan. Rising rent costs impact the long-term cost of renting.

J̃ =

Enter the expected annual increase in your home’s value. Appreciation builds equity and impacts long-term wealth.

K =

Enter your marginal income tax rate. This rate is used to calculate the tax savings from deductible costs like mortgage interest and property taxes. It reflects the tax you pay on each additional dollar of income.

L =

Enter the tax rate on capital gains when selling your home. Couples filing jointly get a $500K exemption on gains from their primary residence.

M =

Enter the percentage of savings allocated to IRA or Roth IRA accounts. Couples can contribute up to $13,000 annually for tax-advantaged growth.

N =
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Time Value Assumptions

Heads Up!

If you're using Cost Basis (cb) for calculating capital gains:

Please be aware that very few countries currently use inflation-indexed cost basis. Double-check your local tax rules before publishing.

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How is Cash Value calculated?

When buying, upfront costs include the down payment and closing fees. Ongoing expenses cover mortgage payments, property taxes, HOA fees, maintenance, and PMI (mortgage insurance) until 20% equity. Mortgage interest and property taxes offer tax savings. Home value grows with appreciation, building equity; at sale, capital gains tax applies to gains over $500K. The final cost equals the missed investment value of all buying and ongoing costs minus appreciated home equity.

Decisions / Expectations

(Expressions are evaluated at Year 0 only.)

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Calculations

(Expressions are evaluated at every year.)

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