Renting vs Buying in Denver in 2026: What Actually Makes Sense for You?

Renting vs Buying in Denver in 2026: What Actually Makes Sense for You?

If you live in Denver, you have probably heard both extremes:

“Buying is always better. You are throwing money away on rent.”

“Buying is too risky right now. Just rent until things calm down.”

The truth in 2026 is somewhere in the middle. Denver is no longer in the wild, overheated market of a few years ago, but it is still a high demand city with real costs on both sides.

So how do you decide if this is your year to buy or if renting still makes more sense?

Let’s walk through the key questions I use with clients who are genuinely torn between renting and buying in the Denver metro.

Step 1: Look at your timeline, not just the monthly payment

The first thing I ask is simple:

How long do you realistically see yourself staying in Denver and in the next home?

Buying starts to make more sense if:

• You expect to stay in the area at least 3 to 7 years

• You are relatively stable in your job or field

• You like the idea of planting some roots and not constantly renegotiating your lease

Renting can still be the smarter move if:

• You are new to Denver and exploring neighborhoods

• Your job or relationship situation is unpredictable

• You know you will likely need to move again within a couple of years

Your timeline matters because there are upfront costs to buying. Closing costs, moving expenses, furnishing, and early repairs all add up. The longer you stay put, the more time you have to spread out those costs and benefit from potential appreciation.

Step 2: Compare real monthly numbers, not myths

A lot of rent vs buy conversations fall apart because people compare the wrong numbers. It is not “rent vs mortgage.” It is:

Total cost to rent vs total cost to own.

On the renting side, that includes:

• Monthly rent

• Renters insurance

• Any parking or pet fees

On the owning side, that includes:

• Principal and interest

• Property taxes

• Homeowners insurance

• HOA or metro district dues if applicable

• A realistic budget for maintenance and repairs

In Denver, it is very common for the base mortgage payment to look similar to rent on a comparable home or condo, only to realize that HOA dues or taxes push the real monthly cost higher.

This does not mean buying is bad. It just means you need to look at the whole picture. When I walk clients through numbers, they are often surprised at how close the totals can be, or at how much the details (like HOA dues or metro district fees) affect the real comparison.

Step 3: Consider how it fits your actual lifestyle

Money matters, but so does how you live.

Buying may fit your lifestyle if:

• You want to customize your space, paint walls, change light fixtures, and make it feel like your own

• You crave stability and do not want to move every time a lease is up

• You like the idea of slowly building equity instead of watching rent go up yearly

Renting may fit your lifestyle if:

• You travel a lot and want low responsibility when you are gone

• You like trying different neighborhoods before committing

• You do not feel ready for yard work, snow shoveling, or calling contractors

Some people truly do not want to think about replacing a water heater or dealing with a broken sprinkler system. That is not wrong. The key is to be honest with yourself about what you are comfortable managing.

Step 4: Understand the power of “forced savings”

One of the less glamorous but very real benefits of owning is something I call “forced savings.”

Every time you make a mortgage payment, a portion of that payment pays down the principal on your loan. Over time, that builds equity. You may not feel it month to month, but after five or ten years it can be a meaningful chunk of your net worth.

With rent, the entire payment goes to your landlord. You still get shelter and flexibility, which are valuable, but you do not build anything you can later tap into for:

• A move-up home

• A rental property

• College costs

• Retirement

If you know you are not great at saving on your own, owning can act as a built-in savings plan. You are committing to paying housing costs anyway. Ownership redirects some of that into an asset with long term value.

Step 5: Factor in Denver’s long term appeal, not just short term headlines

It is easy to get spooked by national headlines about housing, interest rates, or the broader economy. But remember, you are not buying the entire national market. You are buying one specific home in one specific metro area.

Denver continues to be attractive for:

• Outdoor lifestyle and recreation

• A diverse economy across tech, health care, energy, and more

• Strong in-migration from other states

That does not guarantee your home will shoot up in value every year, and you should never buy based only on appreciation. But it does mean that if you choose a solid home in a well located neighborhood and hold it for a reasonable amount of time, you are giving yourself a chance to benefit from Denver’s long term story.

Step 6: Ask the “sleep at night” question

Here is a question I ask a lot:

Which option helps you sleep better at night?

For some people, that is the security of a fixed mortgage payment and knowing no one can suddenly sell their building. For others, it is the freedom to walk away at the end of a lease with no strings attached.

You want the path that feels sustainable, not the one that sounds impressive to other people.

So, should you rent or buy in Denver in 2026?

Here is the most honest answer I can give:

• If you have a stable job, plan to stay in the area for at least a few years, and are ready to take on the responsibilities of owning, 2026 can be a perfectly reasonable year to buy in Denver. The market is calmer, you have more time to think, and you can often negotiate repairs or concessions.

• If your life is in flux, you are brand new to the city, or you simply are not ready to commit to a neighborhood or the responsibilities of a house, it is perfectly okay to keep renting while you get clarity.

You do not have to follow somebody else’s timeline. You just need a clear view of your own.

If you want to walk through your specific numbers, neighborhoods, and plans, I am happy to sit down and go over everything in plain language. No pressure, no scare tactics. Just an honest look at whether renting or buying in Denver in 2026 makes more sense for you.