Rent vs buy in Dublin, CA
In Dublin, California, the typical home costs $1,227,704, while the typical rent is $3,325 /mo.
Renting comes out ahead by $184k over 7 years
Today's mortgage rate applies, with 20% down and Dublin's typical rent and home value as the basis. You break even in year 20.
Clearly labeled opinion with the math shown. These figures are estimates, not quotes. The stamp updates whenever you change a number.
- Ahead with renting
- $184k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- Year 20 when owning catches up
- Actual cost of owning
- $10,307 /mo year 1, against $3,325 rent
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Is renting or buying cheaper in Dublin?
Over 7 years, renting saves $183,841 after counting the money you receive when you sell. For the first 19 years, renting costs less. In year 20, owning catches up.
The renting option. Ownership. Net cost so far, shown by year.
Dublin's average rent compared with mortgage payment
At Dublin's typical price, the rent and mortgage payment don't show everything. Here are all monthly costs for year 1.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $3,325 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $6,693 | $5,900 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $778 | 0.76% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $100 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $1,023 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $8,594 | $794 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $1,996 | Annual earnings the cash would generate at 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $512 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $10,307 | Cash out minus the equity portion, with both amounts above added |
The figures behind Dublin's result
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $1,227,704
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $3,325 /mo
- Down payment20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine does not model
- 20%
- Mortgage rateFreddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Home price growthFHFA house price index, California, 1995 to 2025
- 5.3% a year
- Rent growthCPI rent of primary residence, yearly growth 2006 to 2026
- 3.5% a year
- Return on savings60% S&P 500 with dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced yearly, 1928 to 2025
- 8.3% a year
- Property taxCensus ACS 2020-2024, Dublin
- 0.76% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Dublin
- $100 /mo
- MaintenanceFannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- 1% of value a year
- Buying costsFreddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% of price
- Selling costsAgent commission plus closing costs
- 6% of price
What would cause Dublin's result to flip?
Each line marks where Dublin's 7-year verdict changes, while all other factors stay the same.
Renting is cheaper when
- Home prices rise at less than 7.0% each year, using California's long-run rate of 5.3%.
- The mortgage rate remains above 4.56%.
- A home like this has a monthly rent under $5,290; the typical rent here is $3,325.
- You make your move before year 20.
Buying is cheaper when
- Home prices increase by more than 7.0% each year.
- Today's mortgage rate is 7.24%. You lock one below 4.56%.
- Monthly rent for the same home would exceed $5,290.
- You remain there for 20 years or longer.
How Dublin compares with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Dublin | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $1,227,704 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $3,325 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 30.8 (#62 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 3.2% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 2.6% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 0.76% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 34% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
Other California cities
- Rent, not buy. Los Angeles, CA shows renting ahead by $111k.
- Rent. San Diego, CA. Renting is $108k ahead.
- Rent. San Jose, CA. Renting leads by $210k.
- Renting wins by $128k in San Francisco, CA.
- Buy. Fresno, CA. The advantage for buying is $22k.
- It's close in Sacramento, CA, with renting ahead by $3k.
- Renting wins by $111k in Long Beach, CA.
- Rent. Oakland, CA results. Renting wins by $44k.
- Buy in Bakersfield, CA. Buying wins by $11k.
- Rent in Anaheim, CA. Renting wins by $115k.
- Buy in Stockton, CA. Buying wins by $16k.
- Rent in Riverside, CA. Renting wins by $27k.