Rent vs Buy in West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach County · 2026 · Rate: 6.23%

Median Home Price
$455K
Median Rent
$2,400/mo
Price/Rent Ratio
15.8x
Verdict
Buy Favored

West Palm Beach Rent vs Buy Calculator

Pre-filled with West Palm Beach market data. Adjust any value to match your situation.

Your Scenario

Monthly Rent$2,400/mo
Home Purchase Price$455K
Down Payment20%
Years You Plan to Stay10 yrs
Annual Home Appreciation4%
Annual Rent Increase3%
Break-even Point
Year 5
After 10 years:
Buying saves +$225K
vs renting over same period
Yr 5
🏠 Buy
saves $16K
Yr 10
🏠 Buy
saves $225K

Buying cost includes P&I, taxes (~1%), insurance (~0.35%), and maintenance (~1%). Renting cost assumes 3% annual increase. Home appreciation at 4%/yr. Excludes closing costs and tax deductions.

FAQ

Rent vs buy questions for West Palm Beach

Is it better to rent or buy in West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach's price-to-rent ratio is 15.8x. This is below 16, which generally favors buying — if you plan to stay 5+ years. At current rates of 6.23%, a $455,000 home with 20% down has a monthly P&I payment of approximately $2,236.

What are the ongoing costs of owning in West Palm Beach?

Beyond the mortgage, budget for property taxes (~0.9% per year ≈ $4,095/yr on a median home), homeowner's insurance (~$1,750/yr), and maintenance (~1% of home value annually). Total monthly cost of ownership is typically $37,082 vs. median rent of $2,400.