True Cost

Move or Stay Calculator

You've outgrown your home — or maybe you just want a change. Compare all five paths, including staying put, so you can see exactly what each option costs and builds over the next 10 years.

Enter your ZIP codes to auto-fill local property taxes, insurance, appreciation rates, and rent estimates.

Your Situation

Enter your ZIP codes to auto-fill local rates and estimates

Your Current Home

This is your most important asset. Let's see what it's worth to you in each scenario.

Location

Property Details

$
$

Original Loan

$
%
yrs
mo
Current balance (estimated)$375,173
Monthly P&I$1,741/mo
Remaining term27 yrs 0 mo

Ongoing Costs

$
$
$
%

If You Rent It Out (Options C & D)

$
% of rent
Current Equity$174,827
Home value$550,000
− Agent commission (5.5%)$30,250
− Transfer / closing (1%)$5,500
− Remaining mortgage$375,173
= You'd walk away with$139,077

Your Next Home

Location

If You Buy

$
%

$150,000

%
Heads up: Your sale proceeds ($139,077) may not fully cover this down payment. You'd need $10,923 more.

Loan: $600,000 · P&I: $3,992/mo

$
$
$
%

If You Rent

$
%

Financial Context

$

Marginal rate: 22%

%
10 years
1 yr20 yrs

The Real Cost of Giving Up Your Rate

The most overlooked number in every "should I move?" conversation.

Your Current Rate

3.25%

$375,173 remaining

$1,741/mo

Today's Rate

7.00%

$600,000 new loan

$3,992/mo

Moving to a new home at today's rates increases your monthly payment by $2,251/month more$27,012/year.

Extra interest over 10 years

$287,594 more

Payment multiplier

2.29× your current P&I

Based on your numbers

Stay Put appears to be your strongest financial move.

The do-nothing baseline. You stay in your home, keep your 3.25% rate, and pay your current mortgage. No transaction costs, no disruption — just steady equity growth as your home appreciates and your loan pays down.

Net worth at year 10: $50k
vs. next best (Keep & Rent): $-231k

Note: this option costs $2,441/mo more upfront — only viable if your budget can absorb it.

This is a starting point, not advice. Your personal priorities — schools, commute, family proximity — matter as much as the numbers.

Recommended

Stay Put

Keep your home, make no changes

Monthly Cost

$2,441/mo

Net Worth (at horizon)

$50k

Monthly Cash Flow

$-2,441/mo

To Execute

No upfront cost

No transaction costs, no disruption. Your 3.25% rate keeps running and equity builds at 3%/yr — the pure do-nothing baseline.

Option A: Sell & Buy

Sell your home, buy a new one

Monthly Cost

$4,942/mo

Net Worth (at horizon)

$-393k

Monthly Cash Flow

$-4,942/mo

To Execute

$50,750

Locks in new rate for 30 yrs; ~$50,750 in transaction costs

Option B: Sell & Rent

Sell your home, rent your next place

Monthly Cost

$3,500/mo

Net Worth (at horizon)

$-381k

Monthly Cash Flow

$-3,500/mo

To Execute

$35,750

Frees $139,077 in equity to invest; no maintenance costs

Option C: Keep & Buy

Rent out your home, buy a new one

Monthly Cost

$7,383/mo

Net Worth (at horizon)

$-243k

Monthly Cash Flow

$-5,461/mo

To Execute

$165,000

Preserves your 3.3% rate; rental covers $181/mo of new mortgage

Option D: Keep & Rent

Rent out your home, rent your next place

Monthly Cost

$5,941/mo

Net Worth (at horizon)

$-231k

Monthly Cash Flow

$-4,019/mo

To Execute

No upfront cost

Maximum flexibility; rental arbitrage of $-3,319/mo

Deep-Dive Analysis

Shaded line = recommended option. Lines starting lower reflect upfront transaction costs. Investment return of 7% applied to liquid holdings.

Stay Put

Net: $-2,441/mo

DTI: 20% — OK

Sell & Buy

Net: $-4,942/mo

DTI: 40% — Approaching limit

Sell & Rent

Net: $-3,500/mo

DTI: N/A (renting)

Keep & Buy

Net: $-5,461/mo

DTI: 42% — Approaching limit

Keep & Rent

Net: $-4,019/mo

DTI: N/A (renting)

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