Quick answer
At current rates, renting wins over the full 30-year horizon in Orlando. Monthly ownership cost $3,165 (vs $$1,980/mo rent) plus FL's 0.98% property tax make the math tough.
Rent vs Buy · FL
Rent vs Buy in Orlando (2026)
Real math using FL's 0.98% property tax rate, $7,500/year average insurance, and a 6.8% 30-year fixed mortgage. Accounts for opportunity cost — what the down payment would earn invested at 7%.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Verdict at current rates
Renting wins (30-year horizon)
In Orlando at FL's tax rates and current 6.8% mortgages, keeping the down payment invested at 7% beats homeownership even after 30 years. The standard advice "buy to build equity" doesn't apply here at today's price-to-rent ratio.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Buying
$3,165/mo
Mortgage P&I
$296,000 loan, 30yr @ 6.8%
$1,930
Property tax
0.98% of assessed (FL avg)
$302
Homeowners insurance
$7,500/yr FL avg
$625
Maintenance
1%/yr of home value
$308
Cash at close: ~$83,250 ($20% down + fees)
Renting
$1,980/mo
2BR rent (median)
Orlando market rate
$1,980
Renters insurance
~$15/mo typical
$15
Down payment invested
$74,000 growing at 7%/yr
(opportunity cost)
Monthly gap: $1,185 cheaper than buying. Renter invests that difference.
Year-by-Year Net Position
"Buy wins by" = what you'd clear selling the home minus what the renter has in investments. Positive = buy ahead.
| Year | Home value | Buyer equity (net) | Renter portfolio (net) | Buy wins by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 5 | $428,931 | $-143,851 | +$56,474 | $-200,325 |
| Year 10 | $497,249 | $-236,207 | +$53,927 | $-290,134 |
| Year 15 | $576,448 | $-312,504 | +$75,898 | $-388,401 |
| Year 30 | $898,087 | $-352,343 | +$462,217 | $-814,560 |
Assumptions
Every rent-vs-buy calculator depends on the assumptions. Here are ours — all transparent, none cherry-picked to bias the answer.
This is a rule-of-thumb calculator. Real decisions involve your specific tax bracket, any HOA, mortgage points, closing-cost negotiations, and exact loan terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Orlando?
In Orlando at current mortgage rates (6.8%), renting and investing the down payment beats buying for the full 30-year horizon. Median monthly ownership costs ($3,165) well exceed median 2BR rent ($1,980), and FL's 0.98% property tax makes the math especially tough.
What's the monthly cost of owning a home in Orlando?
On a median $370K home with 20% down at 6.8% fixed rate: mortgage P&I $1,930, property tax $302 (0.98% of assessed value), homeowners insurance $625 (FL average $7,500/year), and maintenance $308 (1% of home value/year). Total: $3,165/month.
How much down payment do I need to buy in Orlando?
20% down on a median Orlando home ($370K) is $74,000. Plus closing costs of roughly 2.5% ($9,250). Total cash-to-close: about $83,250. FHA loans allow 3.5% down ($12,950) but require mortgage insurance that adds ~$144/month.
What's the 10-year cost of renting vs buying in Orlando?
Over 10 years in Orlando: renters pay $272,382 in cumulative rent but have $326,309 invested (assuming 7% return on the $74,000 down payment + monthly savings). Buyers have paid $450,824 in total ownership costs and hold $244,452 in home equity. Net: renting is ahead by $290,134 at year 10.