Rent vs buy in Loveland, CO
A typical home in Loveland, Colorado costs $493,188, while typical rent is $1,932 /mo.
Over 7 years, renting is ahead by $20k
With Loveland's typical rent and home value, plus 20% down and today's mortgage rate. Year 10 marks the break-even point.
Clearly labeled opinion with the math shown. The estimates aren't quotes. Any change to a number changes the stamp too.
- How far renting leads
- $20k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- Year 10 when owning catches up
- Actual ownership cost
- $4,128 per month year 1, against $1,932 rent
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Which costs less in Loveland, renting or buying?
Across 7 years, renting costs $19,706 less after you count the money returned by a sale. During the first 9 years, renting costs less. By year 10, owning has caught up.
Rent. Buy. Net cost by year so far.
Average rent compared with mortgage payments in Loveland
Rent and mortgage payments don't tell the whole story. At Loveland's typical price, here are all monthly costs for year 1.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,932 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,689 | $2,370 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $197 | 0.48% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $143 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $411 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $3,440 | $319 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $802 | What the cash would earn each year at 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $205 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $4,128 | Cash out, with the equity part removed, plus the two entries above. |
The Loveland verdict, explained by the numbers
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $493,188
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,932 /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, Colorado, 1995 to 2025
- 5.2% 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, Loveland
- 0.48% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Loveland
- $143 /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 reverse the Loveland result?
The 7-year verdict in Loveland changes at each point listed, while all other values stay the same.
Renting comes out ahead when
- A yearly home price growth rate below 5.7% applies, using 5.2%, which reflects Colorado's rate over the long run.
- The mortgage rate remains above 6.53%.
- Monthly rent for a comparable home is less than $2,140, with $1,932 being typical here.
- Before year 10, you move.
Buying comes out ahead when
- Home prices rise by more than 5.7% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 6.53%, while today's rate is 7.24%.
- Renting that same home would cost you over $2,140 a month.
- You remain there for 10 years or longer.
How Loveland compares with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Loveland | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $493,188 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,932 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 21.3 (#279 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 4.7% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 3.4% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 0.48% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 38% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in Colorado
- Rent. Denver, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $37k.
- Rent. Colorado Springs, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $17k.
- Rent. Aurora, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $22k.
- Rent. Fort Collins, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $41k.
- Rent. Lakewood, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $54k.
- Rent. Thornton, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $26k.
- Rent. Arvada, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $47k.
- Rent. Westminster, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $34k.
- Rent. Greeley, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $33k.
- Buy. Pueblo, CO. Buying comes out ahead by $5k.
- Rent. Centennial, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $53k.
- Rent. Boulder, CO. Renting comes out ahead by $147k.