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The true cost of owning a home
A mortgage calculator shows principal and interest. This shows the real number: taxes, insurance, HOA, and upkeep too. Adjust the home below and watch the honest monthly cost.
True all-in monthly cost in Austin
$3,892/mo
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, upkeep and bills. Not only principal and interest.
- Becomes yours
- $320/mo
- The bank & the county
- $2,578/mo
- Keeping it running
- $994/mo
Cash out to own, 10 years
$584,873
Monthly after payoff
$3,928/mo
≈ $2,169 in today's money
If you sold at year 10
$312,399
estimated cash in hand
This is one home. We run this on every home in Austin, and rank the ones that fit your life.
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Estimates are illustrative and use typical local tax, insurance, and upkeep rates. They are not a quote. Homestead is informational only, not a lender or financial advisor.
Questions people ask
- What is the true cost of owning a home?
- The true cost is the full monthly amount you actually pay to own: mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, private mortgage insurance if your down payment is under 20 percent, plus ongoing maintenance and utilities. A standard mortgage calculator shows only principal and interest, which is typically 60 to 75 percent of the real number.
- How much more than the mortgage does a home really cost?
- The costs beyond principal and interest (taxes, insurance, HOA, and upkeep) commonly add about $12,000 a year for a typical home, and more in high-tax or high-insurance markets. This calculator models all of them, so the real monthly figure is on the table before you fall in love with a listing.
- Is this calculator free?
- Yes. The calculator is free with no signup. Homestead is a subscription that runs this same true-cost model on every home in our covered cities and ranks the ones that fit your budget and priorities. Every account starts with 7 days free, no card required.
- Which cities does Homestead cover?
- Homestead covers a growing set of U.S. markets with the deepest coverage in Portland, Austin, and the greater Los Angeles and California metros, plus many other cities. Pick your city in the calculator to use local tax and insurance rates.
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