Arizona buyer question
What costs does a homeowner pay that a renter doesn't in Arizona?
Rent is one number. Owning adds a few more. Here's the side-by-side, based on Arizona's landlord-tenant law, so you can compare fairly.
Two ways to start
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The short answer
Quick answer: An Arizona homeowner pays for repairs and upkeep, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues where there's an HOA, mortgage insurance when the loan requires it, and closing costs to buy and later sell. A renter's landlord must keep the home fit and its systems working (A.R.S. §33-1324), and Arizona caps a renter's deposit at 1.5 months' rent.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1324 and §33-1321 (retrieved October 27, 2026). Last updated .
Side by side: renting vs. owning in Arizona
| Cost | Renter | Homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs to the home, AC and appliances | Landlord's duty under A.R.S. §33-1324, unless a single-family lease shifts some duties in writing | Yours |
| Property taxes | Built into rent, if at all; the tenant gets no bill | Yours, usually through escrow |
| Insurance | Renters insurance for belongings, if you choose it or the lease requires it | Homeowners insurance on the building; required by lenders |
| HOA dues | Usually the owner's | Yours, when the home has an HOA |
| Mortgage insurance | None | Yours, when the loan requires it |
| Money up front | Security deposit and prepaid rent, capped at 1.5 months' rent (A.R.S. §33-1321), plus any stated fees | Down payment and closing costs |
| Leaving | Lease terms; move-out | Selling costs, or the costs of renting the home out |
A.R.S. §33-1324 and §33-1321, retrieved October 27, 2026; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on escrow accounts. General information, not legal advice.
Repairs and upkeep
Arizona's landlord-tenant law makes the landlord keep a rental fit and habitable and maintain the electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances the landlord supplies (A.R.S. §33-1324). In a single-family rental, the landlord and tenant can agree in writing for the tenant to take on some of those duties. As an owner, all of it is yours: the AC, the water heater, the roof and the pool equipment. Set money aside for it, because it doesn't show up in the monthly payment.
Property taxes and insurance
Owners get the property tax bill. Most lenders collect it monthly through an escrow account, along with homeowners insurance (CFPB). Both can change each year, which is why escrow payments move. See how Arizona property taxes are calculated and why escrow payments go up.
HOA dues and mortgage insurance
If the home is in an HOA, dues are part of your monthly cost and can rise; Arizona limits yearly increases in planned communities. See can an HOA raise dues? Mortgage insurance applies on some loans; see what mortgage insurance is and when it ends.
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.
Cash to get in, and to get out
A renter's upfront cash is limited by law: an Arizona landlord can't demand security, including prepaid rent, of more than one and one-half month's rent, though a tenant can choose to prepay more (A.R.S. §33-1321). A buyer brings a down payment and closing costs, and later pays costs to sell. See how much you need saved and what it costs to sell.
What owners get for those costs
Part of each mortgage payment pays down principal, which builds equity. With a fixed-rate loan, principal and interest stay the same, though taxes, insurance and HOA dues can change. Home values can rise or fall; neither is promised.
Compare the full payment, not just the price
To compare fairly, put your rent next to a home's full estimated payment, including its own taxes, HOA dues and insurance, then add a cushion for upkeep. Our rent vs. own page has a city-by-city comparison and a calculator.
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: is it better to rent or own? · rent vs. buy in Phoenix · homes at a payment like your rent · more questions.
General information, not legal advice. Your lease, loan documents and the statutes in effect control.
What clients say about Rebel Rate Mortgage
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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
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More Arizona home buyer questions · Calculators · Homes by monthly budget · All Arizona cities
Sources
- Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1324 (landlord to maintain fit premises) (retrieved October 27, 2026)
- Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1321 (security deposits capped at one and one-half month's rent) (retrieved October 27, 2026)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is an escrow or impound account? (last reviewed Sep 11, 2024)
Frequently asked questions
What does a homeowner pay that a renter doesn't?
Repairs and upkeep, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues where there's an HOA, mortgage insurance when the loan requires it, and closing costs to buy and sell.
Who pays for AC repairs in an Arizona rental?
The landlord must maintain air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances it supplies (A.R.S. §33-1324). In a single-family rental, a written agreement can shift some duties to the tenant.
How much can an Arizona landlord charge for a deposit?
No more than one and one-half month's rent in security, including prepaid rent, though a tenant may choose to prepay more (A.R.S. §33-1321).
Do renters pay property taxes in Arizona?
Not directly. The owner gets the bill, and any cost is reflected in the rent the landlord charges.
How do I compare rent with owning?
Compare your rent with a home's full estimated payment, including its own taxes, HOA dues and insurance, then add a cushion for repairs. The rent vs. own calculator can help.