Arizona buyer question
How do I compare my rent to a full mortgage payment?
Rent is one number. A house payment is several. This worksheet lines them up so you compare the same things, using what the CFPB says goes into a monthly payment.
Two ways to start
- Search homes by payment
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
- Get pre-qualified (Apply now) (opens in a new tab)
Get pre-qualified with Pam Messina at Rebel Rate Mortgage. Once you're pre-qualified, Pam can update the maximum monthly payment and total funds to close in your home search, so the homes you see match what you qualify for. If you'd like, she can also give you a free, no-obligation introduction to a real estate professional so you can start touring homes.
Opens Rebel Rate Mortgage's secure online application (my1003app.com) in a new tab. Pre-qualification isn't a loan approval or a commitment to lend; approval depends on underwriting, verification of your information, and the property.
Applications are handled by Pam Messina, NMLS #245626, Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. (NMLS #2571369).
The short answer
Quick answer: Compare your rent and renters insurance with the full owner payment: principal and interest, one-twelfth of the yearly property tax and homeowners insurance, any mortgage insurance, HOA dues, and added tax lines. Then add the utilities and upkeep a landlord covers today. The Loan Estimate's Estimated Total Monthly Payment shows most of the loan side.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Loan Estimate explainer and What is an escrow account? (retrieved November 3, 2026). Last updated .
The side-by-side worksheet
| Line | Renting today | Owning |
|---|---|---|
| Base payment | Monthly rent | Principal and interest |
| Property taxes | Built into rent | Yearly tax bill ÷ 12 (often paid through escrow) |
| Insurance | Renters insurance, if you carry it | Homeowners insurance ÷ 12 (often paid through escrow) |
| Mortgage insurance | Not applicable | Monthly amount, if your loan has it |
| HOA dues | Usually built into rent | Monthly dues, often paid directly to the HOA |
| Added tax lines | Built into rent | Any community tax or special district fee on the bill |
| Utilities | Only the ones your lease says you pay | All of them, often including water, sewer and trash |
| Repairs and upkeep | Landlord's job under A.R.S. §33-1324 | Yours: set aside a monthly cushion |
| Fees and deposits | Pet rent, admin fees, security deposit | Closing costs and reserves, once |
Sources: CFPB Loan Estimate explainer and escrow account answer; A.R.S. §33-1321 and §33-1324 (Arizona landlord-tenant law). Fill in your own numbers from your lease and from the home's tax bill, insurance quote and HOA disclosure.
Where to find each owner number
- Principal, interest and mortgage insurance: on page 1 of the Loan Estimate, under Projected Payments.
- Property taxes and insurance: the Loan Estimate shows an escrow amount, which the CFPB says covers items like property taxes and homeowners insurance. Check the home's actual tax bill. See how Arizona property taxes are calculated.
- HOA dues: the Loan Estimate's Estimated Taxes, Insurance & Assessments box tells you which items are in escrow. Anything not in escrow, often HOA dues, you pay separately. See HOA dues in Arizona.
- Added tax lines: some newer areas add a community tax or special district fee to the property tax bill. See special district taxes.
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
A worked example, for the arithmetic only
Suppose a home's yearly tax bill is $2,400 and a homeowners insurance quote is $1,800 a year. That's $200 and $150 a month. Add HOA dues of $90 a month and the owner side carries $440 a month before principal, interest and any mortgage insurance. These are made-up inputs to show the math, not typical Arizona costs or a quote. Use the mortgage payment calculator with real numbers for a specific home.
What rent already covers
Arizona law requires landlords to keep the premises fit and habitable and to make repairs (A.R.S. §33-1324). When you own, repairs, appliance replacement and yard care are yours, so set aside a monthly cushion. On the other side, a security deposit you get back is not a cost of renting, and Arizona caps it at one and a half months' rent (A.R.S. §33-1321).
Turn the comparison into a monthly budget
Once you know the full monthly cost you're comfortable with, shop by that number instead of by price. Two homes at the same price can have very different taxes, insurance and HOA dues. See how much house can I afford? and homeowner costs renters don't pay.
A free account shows every home for sale that fits the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its real property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own closing cost estimate and APR disclosure.
Searching is free, and we never sell your information or pass it to other lenders or marketers. Only Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. contacts you, and only about your own search.
Related: rent vs. own in Arizona · renting vs. buying · why escrow payments change · homeowners insurance cost · more questions.
General information and a worksheet, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on the home, the loan program, taxes, insurance and HOA dues.
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Ready to see what fits your monthly budget?
Search Arizona homes with each home's property taxes, HOA dues, and insurance built into the estimated payment. We never sell your information or pass it to other lenders or marketers. Only Rebel Rate Mortgage, Inc. contacts you.
Create your free account to see all homes for sale that fit the monthly payment you're comfortable with, each with its actual property taxes, HOA dues, estimated homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance when it applies, plus its own estimated closing costs and APR disclosure.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
Prefer to talk it through? Pam Messina, NMLS #245626
Call office 602-740-9664Call Pam 602-460-4879Text PamEmail Pam
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Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Loan Estimate explainer (Projected Payments and Estimated Taxes, Insurance & Assessments) (retrieved November 3, 2026)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is an escrow or impound account? (retrieved November 3, 2026)
- Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1324 (landlord to maintain fit premises) (retrieved November 3, 2026)
- Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1321 (security deposits) (retrieved November 3, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a full mortgage payment?
Principal and interest, plus property taxes and homeowners insurance (often paid monthly through escrow), any mortgage insurance, and HOA dues, which are often paid separately.
Is my rent the same as a mortgage payment of the same amount?
No. A same-sized mortgage payment may not include HOA dues, utilities or repairs that rent covers. Compare the full monthly cost on both sides.
Where do I find the full payment for a home I'm considering?
Your Loan Estimate shows an Estimated Total Monthly Payment, and its Estimated Taxes, Insurance & Assessments box shows what's in escrow. Items not in escrow are paid separately.
Should I count renters insurance in the comparison?
Yes, if you carry it. Put it on the renting side, and homeowners insurance on the owning side.
Do I need to budget for repairs when I own?
Yes. Arizona landlords must make repairs to keep a rental fit and habitable, but as an owner those costs are yours, so plan a monthly cushion.