Rent vs buy in Parker, CO
In Parker, Colorado, the typical rent is $2,211 /mo and the typical home costs $672,792.
Renting comes out ahead by $70k over 7 years
For Parker's typical rent and home value, assume 20% down and today's mortgage rate. Year 14 is the break-even point.
An opinion, clearly labeled, with the math shown. These are estimates, not quotes. Adjust any number, and the stamp changes with it.
- Ahead with renting
- $70k after 7 years
- Break-even point
- year 14 when owning catches up
- Actual cost of owning
- $5,664 /mo year 1, against $2,211 rent
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Is renting or buying cheaper in Parker?
Over 7 years, renting saves $69,781 after counting the money you get back when you sell. For the first 13 years, renting costs less. By year 14, owning catches up.
Renting. Owning. Net cost by year so far.
Average rent compared with mortgage payment in Parker
Rent and mortgage payments don't tell the full story. At Parker's typical price, you see all monthly costs in year 1.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,211 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $3,668 | $3,233 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $308 | 0.55% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $188 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $561 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $4,725 | $435 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $1,094 | The yearly amount the cash would earn at 8.3% |
| Buying costs, spread out | $280 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $5,664 | Cash out, subtract the equity part, and add the two lines above. |
Parker verdict by the numbers
- Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $672,792
- Typical rentZillow ZORI, September 2026
- $2,211 /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, Parker
- 0.55% of value
- Home insuranceCensus ACS 2020-2024, Parker
- $188 /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 result in Parker?
Each line shows where Parker's 7-year verdict flips. Everything else remains as it is.
When renting comes out ahead
- Slower home-price growth than 6.4% a year; our rate is 5.2%, Colorado's long-run rate.
- A mortgage rate above 5.39% remains in place.
- A similar home rents for under $2,960 a month (the local typical rent is $2,211).
- Before year 14, you move.
When buying comes out ahead
- Home prices rise by more than 6.4% a year.
- You secure a mortgage rate under 5.39% (today's rate is 7.24%).
- The monthly rent for the same home would exceed $2,960.
- You remain in the home for 14 years or more.
Parker compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Parker | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $672,792 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $2,211 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 25.4 (#138 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 4.5% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 1.8% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 0.55% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 28% | 42% |
Sources: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
Other Colorado cities
- Rent in Denver, CO. Renting wins by $37k.
- Renting has a $17k advantage in Colorado Springs, CO.
- Renting has a $22k advantage in Aurora, CO.
- Renting has a $41k advantage in Fort Collins, CO.
- Renting has a $54k advantage in Lakewood, CO.
- Rent in Thornton, CO. Renting wins by $26k.
- Rent in Arvada, CO. Renting wins by $47k.
- Rent in Westminster, CO. Renting wins by $34k.
- Rent in Greeley, CO. Renting wins by $33k.
- For Pueblo, CO, buying wins by $5k.
- Rent in Centennial, CO. Renting wins by $53k.
- Rent in Boulder, CO. Renting wins by $147k.