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NC Housing Market

Rent vs Buy Calculator: Should I Rent or Buy in Raleigh?

Here's the data you need to decide — based on Raleigh's median home prices, rents, property taxes, and market trends.

Average Rent vs Home Price in Raleigh: Market Snapshot

Median Home Price

$420,000

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Price-to-Rent Ratio

21.9

Favors renting

Property Tax

0.8%

Home Appreciation

4.0%/yr

Avg HOA

$200/mo

Cost of Renting vs Buying in Raleigh: Monthly Cost Comparison

Here's what it costs to buy vs rent in Raleigh with default assumptions (20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year mortgage):

Estimated Buying Cost

Mortgage (P&I) $2,124
Property Tax $270
Insurance $117
Maintenance $350
HOA $200

Estimated Renting Cost

Monthly Rent $1,600
Renter's Insurance $13
Rent Increase 3.5%/yr

Is It Cheaper to Rent or Buy in Raleigh? Key Insights

High price-to-rent ratio (21.9) — Renting is likely the better financial move unless you plan to stay 8+ years or expect above-average appreciation.

Strong appreciation (4.0%/yr) — Home values are growing faster than average, which accelerates the breakeven point for buyers.

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Run the full calculator with Raleigh's data pre-loaded to see your exact breakeven year based on your down payment, income, and timeline.

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Our calculator is pre-loaded with Raleigh's market data. Adjust your down payment, interest rate, and timeline to find your exact answer.

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