Rent vs buy in Marana, AZ
In Marana, Arizona, the typical rent is $2,165 /mo and the typical home costs $416,337.
Buying comes out ahead by $26k over 7 years
Based on Marana's typical rent, home value, a 20% down payment and today's mortgage rate. You reach break-even in year 5.
An opinion, clearly labelled, with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. Adjust any number and the stamp updates.
- Owning leads by
- $26k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- in year 5 when owning catches up
- What owning really costs
- $3,556 a month year 1, against $2,165 rent
Change my numbers
The stamp relies on Marana's typical rent and home value. Change the rent, the price or the years, and the result can flip.
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Is renting or buying cheaper in Marana?
Over 7 years, buying runs $25,544 cheaper once you count the money you get back when you sell. In year 5, owning's net cost goes below renting's and stays lower.
Rent. Buy. Net cost to date, by year.
In Marana, average rent compared with mortgage payment
Rent and the mortgage only tell part of the story. Here are all the monthly costs at Marana's typical price, for year 1.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,165 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,270 | $2,001 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $288 | 0.83% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $70 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $347 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $2,975 | $269 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $677 | The yearly return on that cash, at 8.3% a year |
| Buying costs, spread out | $173 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,556 | Cash out minus the equity piece, plus both lines above |
The numbers behind Marana's verdict
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $416,337
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $2,165 /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, Arizona, 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, Marana
- 0.83% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Marana
- $70 /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 turn this around in Marana?
Each line marks the point where Marana's 7-year verdict changes, while all other inputs stay as they are.
Renting comes out ahead if
- Home prices rise at less than 4.5% a year (our figure: 5.2%, Arizona's long-run rate).
- Interest rates on the mortgage remain above 8.32%.
- For a home like this, rent is under $1,890 each month (typical here: $2,165).
- Moving before year 5.
Buying comes out ahead if
- Home prices rise at over 4.5% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 8.32% (today's is 7.24%).
- For the same home, your monthly rent would run above $1,890.
- Your stay lasts at least 5 years.
Marana compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Marana | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $416,337 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $2,165 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 16.0 (#555 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 5.6% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Property tax | 0.83% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 16% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
More cities in Arizona
- Rent. Phoenix, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $14k.
- Toss-up. Tucson, AZ. Too close to call; buying is ahead by $672.
- Mesa, AZ rent wins by $24k.
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- Rent. Chandler, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $25k.
- Rent. Glendale, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $17k.
- Rent. Scottsdale, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $129k.
- Rent. Peoria, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $17k.
- Rent. Tempe, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $31k.
- Buy. Surprise, AZ. Buying comes out ahead by $18k.
- Rent. Goodyear, AZ. Renting comes out ahead by $28k.
- Buy. Buckeye, AZ. Buying comes out ahead by $29k.