Should I Stay or Move? Home Decision Calculator

Compare the yearly cost of staying in your present home with the yearly cost of buying a different home. Then consider the things that money cannot measure.

You do not have to make a decision today. Enter the information you know. If you do not know an exact amount, use your best estimate.

Helpful Information

These free articles can help you think through the decision before or after you use the calculator.

Should I Sell My House or Stay? 7 Questions to Ask Before You Decide Should I Downsize My Home? 10 Questions to Ask Before Moving How Much Does It Cost to Sell and Move? Moving Checklist: What to Do Before You Move What Is My Home Worth? What Home Value Does—and Does Not—Tell You

PRESENT HOME

Enter your monthly mortgage payment for principal and interest.

Do not include property taxes or homeowners insurance here if you enter them separately below.

Yearly mortgage cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly mortgage payment by 12 to calculate your yearly mortgage cost.

Enter the amount you pay each year for property taxes.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter the amount you pay each year for homeowners insurance to protect your home against loss or damage.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter your best estimate of what you spend each year on repairs and maintenance, including repairs, replacing appliances, painting, yard work, and other maintenance.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter the total amount you pay each month for all of your utilities.

Examples include electricity, water, gas, trash collection, and other basic services.

Yearly utility cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly utility cost by 12 to calculate your yearly utility cost.

If you pay an HOA fee, enter the amount you pay each month. An HOA may charge a fee for shared areas or community services.

Yearly HOA cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly HOA fee by 12 to calculate your yearly HOA cost.

Important: Some homeowners pay property taxes and homeowners insurance as part of their mortgage payment through an escrow account.

If you already included these costs in your mortgage payment, do not enter them again below.
Total yearly cost of present home: $0

NEW HOME

Enter your estimated monthly mortgage payment for principal and interest on the new home.

Do not include property taxes or homeowners insurance here if you enter them separately below.

Yearly mortgage cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly mortgage payment by 12 to calculate your yearly mortgage cost.

Enter the amount you expect to pay each year for property taxes on the new home.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter the amount you expect to pay each year for homeowners insurance to protect the new home against loss or damage.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter your best estimate of what you expect to spend each year on repairs and maintenance, including repairs, replacing appliances, painting, yard work, and other maintenance.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per year

Enter the total amount you expect to pay each month for all of your utilities.

Examples include electricity, water, gas, trash collection, and other basic services.

Yearly utility cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly utility cost by 12 to calculate your yearly utility cost.

If the new home has an HOA fee, enter the amount you expect to pay each month. An HOA may charge a fee for shared areas or community services.

Yearly HOA cost: $0

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

per month

The calculator will multiply your monthly HOA fee by 12 to calculate your yearly HOA cost.

Important: The mortgage payment may include property taxes and homeowners insurance through an escrow account.

If you already included these costs in your mortgage payment, do not enter them again above.
Total yearly cost of new home: $0

COST OF SELLING PRESENT HOME AND MOVING

Enter your expected selling costs, including real estate commissions, closing costs, and other selling expenses.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

Enter your expected moving expenses, including movers, packing, storage, travel, and other moving expenses.

Enter the amount in dollars. Do not enter the $ sign.

Total estimated selling and moving costs: $0

PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Choose only one answer by left-clicking the circle next to your answer.

Money is only one part of this decision. Answer the questions below so you can consider the financial comparison together with the things that matter to you.

1. Which home would be easier for you to maintain?

Think about repairs, yard work, cleaning, and the amount of work each home requires.

2. Which home would put you closer to family or friends?

Think about how easy it would be to visit the people who are important to you.

3. Which home would make everyday life easier?

Think about grocery stores, doctors, pharmacies, restaurants, shopping, public transportation, and other regular places you need to reach.

4. Does either home have stairs that could become a problem?

Think about stairs inside the home and stairs you would need to use when entering or leaving.

5. Does the new home have an HOA (Home Owners Association)?

Think about the monthly fee, rules, services, and maintenance that may come with an HOA.

6. Which home do you think will better meet your needs as you get older?

Think about stairs, bedrooms and bathrooms, maintenance, transportation, safety, and whether the home will remain suitable if your needs change.

7. Which home do you like better overall?

Think about the important things that cannot be measured in dollars.

Clicking this button clears everything you entered and starts a new calculation.

YOUR RESULTS

Financial Comparison

Yearly mortgage cost for present home$0
Yearly HOA cost for present home$0
Total yearly cost of present home$0
Yearly mortgage cost for new home$0
Yearly HOA cost for new home$0
Total yearly cost of new home$0
Difference in yearly cost$0
Total estimated selling and moving costs$0

What the Numbers Mean

Your Personal Considerations

This calculator does not tell you whether you should stay or move.

It helps you compare the costs and organize the things that are important to you.

Take your time. Your finances, lifestyle, family, convenience, and future needs are all important parts of this decision.