Renting vs. Buying a Home in Denver, a 2023 Analysis

Published:
May 1, 2017
Last updated:
December 7, 2022
Post cover image
In This Article

In many cities across the U.S., home buyers could afford the monthly payments on a house for about the same as what they would pay in rent, or even less. Denver is one of those areas where buying could be cheaper than renting when compared on a monthly basis. 

What’s the cost of renting versus buying a home in Denver, in 2023? This is a common question among Denver-area renters who are considering the purchase of a home. And we have a fully updated rent-versus-buy analysis that could help you answer this question.

Renting vs. Buying a Home in Denver: 2023 Update

Recently, the real estate information company Zillow published a housing study that compared the costs of renting and buying in Denver, Colorado, as well as other cities across the country.

Their in-depth analysis showed that renters in Denver could buy a house without increasing their monthly housing costs. In some cases, the monthly housing costs could actually decrease after buying, depending on the situation.

Here’s a breakdown of the renting-versus-buying cost comparison for 2023 :

  • The average rent in Denver is currently $2,607 for a 2-bedroom unit as of December 2022, according to Rent.com.
  • The median home price in the city was around $626,721, during the same month.
  • If we assume a down payment of 20%, which is a common range, that would give us a loan amount of $501,377.
  • Assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at today’s current rate of 6.49%, you would be looking at monthly mortgage payments of $3,137. That’s only slightly higher than rent in Denver, and can afford you with a valuable asset that will increase in equity over time.

According to Zillow’s Chief Economist, Dr. Svenja Gudell: “Renters hesitant to enter the home buying market for fear of not being able to find an affordable home should be encouraged to discover they may have more options than they thought.”

Of course, this scenario just looks at the financial factors relating to renting or buying a home in Denver, during 2023. There are other things to consider as well, including home maintenance, lifestyle, amenities, and how long you plan to stay in the house. But when it comes to monthly housing costs, buying can be cheaper than renting in Denver.

Live Denver Mortgage Rates

Minimizing Your Down Payment

Down payments play a big role here as well. When considering the rent-versus-buy question, you have to look beyond the monthly costs. Homebuyers usually encounter upfront costs as well, and the down payment can be the most significant.

But there are some myths and misconceptions regarding the down payment on a house. One of the biggest misconceptions is that Denver home buyers have to put 20% down when buying a house.

That’s not always true. In fact, modern mortgage programs allow for down payments as low as 3% of the purchase price, in some cases. Military members who are eligible for VA financing can buy with nothing down.

Additionally, the down payment funds could be provided by a third party, such as a family member or close friend. This is known as a down payment gift.

The bottom line is that renters who compare the costs of renting and buying a house in Denver in 2021 might be surprised by what they find. In many cases, the monthly costs of owning a home can be equal to — or even less than — renting a place.

Get an Instant Mortgage Rate Quote Today

Have Questions About Mortgages in Denver?

Whether you are ready to apply for a home loan in Denver or just have questions about them, we can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, Washington that lends in all of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Colorado since 1992. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and tools with flexible qualification criteria. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions.

Other Blogs You May Like
Denver’s Real Estate Market in 2024: Better for Buyers
March 12, 2024
5 min read
Denver's Real Estate Market in 2024: Better for Buyers
Recent reports have shown that the Denver, Colorado real estate market could be more friendly...
An Update for Those Buying a Home in Denver in 2024
March 12, 2024
4 min read
An Update for Those Buying a Home in Denver in 2024
Many Denver home buyers are looking at 2024 as the year to make a home purchase. To help, we have...
Show 18 more posts
from this category

Connect with a Mortgage Advisor Today!

Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.

Compare Mortgage Rates in Your Area Instantly

No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.

Subscribe to our newsletter