A recent article published by Apartment List found six Arizona cities, all in the Valley, have had rents increase by more than 25% in 2021. 

According to that same Apartment List source, year-over-year rent growth across the country currently stands at a record setting 17.8%, and prices are expected to increase into the typically busy periods of spring and summer.

In Arizona, four cities ranked in the top ten, in terms of cities with the fastest growing rents:

• Scottsdale (Ranked #3, with 31% rent increase)
• Mesa (Ranked #5)
• Phoenix (Ranked #8)
• Glendale (Ranked #9)

​​If you were thinking about buying a home this year, but have already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices and increasing mortgage rates, there’s something you should consider. According to the latest report from ATTOM Data, owning a home is more affordable than renting in the majority of the country. The 2022 Rental Affordability Report says:

“. . . Owning a median-priced home is more affordable than the average rent on a three-bedroom property in 666, or 58 percent, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed for the report. That means major home ownership expenses consume a smaller portion of average local wages than renting.”

Other experts in the industry offer additional perspectives on renting today. In the latest Single-Family Rent Index from CoreLogic, single-family rent saw the fastest year-over-year growth in over 16 years when comparing data for November each year (see graph below):

What Does This Mean for You?

While it’s true home prices and mortgage rates are rising, so are monthly rents around major Arizona cities. As a prospective buyer, rising rates and prices shouldn’t be enough to keep you on the sideline, though. As the chart above shows, rents are skyrocketing. The big difference is, when you rent, that rising cost benefits your landlord’s investment strategy, but it doesn’t deliver any sort of return for you.

In contrast, when you buy a home, your monthly mortgage payment serves as a form of forced savings. Over time, as you pay down your loan and as home values rise, you’re building equity (and by extension, your own net worth). Not to mention, you’ll lock in your mortgage payment for the duration of your loan (typically 15 to 30 years) and give yourself a stable and reliable monthly payment. 

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Bottom Line

If you’re weighing your options between renting and buying, it’s important to look at the full picture. While buying a home can feel like a daunting process, having a trusted advisor on your side is key. Let’s connect to explore your options so you can learn more about the benefits of homeownership today!