Renting vs. Owning in West Jordan: What You’ll Pay
When deciding between renting an apartment or buying a house in West Jordan, cost is a key factor. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in West Jordan is around $1,450 per month, while the typical mortgage payment for a 3-bedroom house is closer to $1,950. The average rent for a 3BR house in West Jordan is $2,200/month. Of course, these are just ballpark figures – your actual housing cost will depend on the unit’s size, age, location and amenities.
Beyond the monthly payment, it’s important to consider additional costs like utilities, maintenance, insurance and fees. Apartments often have lower utility bills since they are smaller and may include some utilities. Houses usually have higher utility costs but more space and privacy. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your budget, lifestyle and long-term goals.
Cost Comparison – Apartment vs House
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of common monthly costs in West Jordan:
| Expense | 2BR Apartment | 3BR House |
|---|---|---|
| Rent/Mortgage* | $1,450 | $1,950 |
| Utilities (gas, electric, water) | $120 | $250 |
| Internet | $65 | $75 |
| Renter’s/Homeowner’s Insurance | $15 | $100 |
| Maintenance & Repairs | $0 | $150 |
| HOA or Condo Fees | $200 | $0 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $1,850 | $2,525 |
*Mortgage estimate assumes 10% down on a $390,000 home at 3.5% interest. Estimates are for mid-range units with typical usage.
As you can see, the total monthly cost is about $675 higher for a house compared to an apartment in West Jordan. However, this doesn’t account for the long-term financial benefits of owning, like building equity and potential appreciation. When making your decision, look beyond the monthly payment to assess the full financial picture.
Utility and Upkeep Differences
In addition to the base rent or mortgage, utility costs are a key factor in the cost of living difference between apartments and houses in West Jordan. Some factors to consider:
- Houses typically have higher heating and cooling costs due to larger square footage
- Many West Jordan homes use swamp coolers which can reduce A/C bills in the summer
- Water bills may be higher for houses if you need to maintain a lawn or landscaping
- Newer West Jordan apartments often include trash service and sometimes even internet
Maintenance is another area where houses tend to have higher costs than apartments. As a homeowner, you are responsible for all repairs and upkeep, from leaky faucets to roof replacements. In an apartment, the landlord handles most maintenance, so your costs are limited to smaller items like lightbulbs and air filters. Of course, [understanding property tax and HOA fees in West Jordan](/west-jordan-ut/property-tax-hoa/) is also important for an accurate cost comparison.
Lifestyle Tradeoffs
Aside from the financial factors, there are key lifestyle differences to consider when choosing between an apartment and a house in West Jordan. Houses offer more space and privacy, with your own yard, garage and multiple levels. This appeals to many families with children or pets who need room to spread out.
Apartments provide less space but often have desirable amenities like a pool, gym or community room. They also require less upkeep, which can free up time and energy. Many West Jordan residents choose apartments for walkability, while families prefer houses for yard space. Consider your commute, hobbies and stage of life when making your decision.
Which Is Cheaper Long Term in West Jordan?
While renting an apartment is cheaper on a monthly basis, owning a house is often the better financial choice long-term. By building equity and benefiting from potential appreciation, homeowners can grow their net worth over time.
For example, let’s say you buy a $390,000 house in West Jordan with a 10% down payment and 3.5% mortgage rate. After accounting for maintenance, insurance and taxes, your total housing cost over 5 years would be around $142,000. During that same period, you would pay about $111,000 in rent on a comparable apartment, assuming 5% annual increases.
So while you would pay around $31,000 more as a homeowner during those 5 years, you would also gain about $65,000 in equity. Plus, your mortgage payment would stay relatively stable while rents will likely continue to rise. Of course, this is a simplified example – your actual costs and equity gains may vary based on your specific situation and market conditions.
FAQs About Housing Costs in West Jordan
How much more does a house cost per month?
In West Jordan, a typical house costs about $675 more per month than a comparable apartment when you include mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance. However, the exact difference will depend on the size, age and location of the specific properties.
Do houses come with higher utility bills?
Yes, houses in West Jordan tend to have higher utility costs than apartments since they are larger and often have yards to maintain. The average monthly utility cost for a 3BR house is around $250 compared to $120 for a 2BR apartment.
Are apartments cheaper even with pet fees?
In most cases, yes. Even with a monthly pet fee of $25-50, renting an apartment in West Jordan is still cheaper than owning a comparable house when you factor in all costs. However, a house does offer more space and a yard for your furry friend to enjoy.
Making the Right Housing Choice in West Jordan
As this cost comparison shows, apartments are generally cheaper than houses in West Jordan on a monthly basis. The average rent for a 2BR apartment is around $1,850 per month including utilities and fees, while a 3BR house costs closer to $2,525 per month all-in.
However, the long-term financial benefits of owning can make a house the better choice if you plan to stay for several years. Weigh the total costs as well as your lifestyle needs and goals to determine the right option for you. Our [monthly budget examples for West Jordan residents](/west-jordan-ut/monthly-budget/) can help you crunch the numbers and assess your housing budget.
Renting vs. Owning in West Jordan: What You’ll Pay
When deciding between renting an apartment or buying a house in West Jordan, cost is a key factor. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in West Jordan is around $1,450 per month, while the typical mortgage payment for a 3-bedroom house is closer to $1,950. The average rent for a 3BR house in West Jordan is $2,200/month. Of course, these are just ballpark figures – your actual housing cost will depend on the unit’s size, age, location and amenities.
Beyond the monthly payment, it’s important to consider additional costs like utilities, maintenance, insurance and fees. Apartments often have lower utility bills since they are smaller and may include some utilities. Houses usually have higher utility costs but more space and privacy. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your budget, lifestyle and long-term goals.
Cost Comparison – Apartment vs House
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of common monthly costs in West Jordan:
| Expense | 2BR Apartment | 3BR House |
|---|---|---|
| Rent/Mortgage* | $1,450 | $1,950 |
| Utilities (gas, electric, water) | $120 | $250 |
| Internet | $65 | $75 |
| Renter’s/Homeowner’s Insurance | $15 | $100 |
| Maintenance & Repairs | $0 | $150 |
| HOA or Condo Fees | $200 | $0 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $1,850 | $2,525 |
*Mortgage estimate assumes 10% down on a $390,000 home at 3.5% interest. Estimates are for mid-range units with typical usage.
As you can see, the total monthly cost is about $675 higher for a house compared to an apartment in West Jordan. However, this doesn’t account for the long-term financial benefits of owning, like building equity and potential appreciation. When making your decision, look beyond the monthly payment to assess the full financial picture.
Utility and Upkeep Differences
In addition to the base rent or mortgage, utility costs are a key factor in the cost of living difference between apartments and houses in West Jordan. Some factors to consider:
- Houses typically have higher heating and cooling costs due to larger square footage
- Many West Jordan homes use swamp coolers which can reduce A/C bills in the summer
- Water bills may be higher for houses if you need to maintain a lawn or landscaping
- Newer West Jordan apartments often include trash service and sometimes even internet
Maintenance is another area where houses tend to have higher costs than apartments. As a homeowner, you are responsible for all repairs and upkeep, from leaky faucets to roof replacements. In an apartment, the landlord handles most maintenance, so your costs are limited to smaller items like lightbulbs and air filters. Of course, [understanding property tax and HOA fees in West Jordan](/west-jordan-ut/property-tax-hoa/) is also important for an accurate cost comparison.
Lifestyle Tradeoffs
Aside from the financial factors, there are key lifestyle differences to consider when choosing between an apartment and a house in West Jordan. Houses offer more space and privacy, with your own yard, garage and multiple levels. This appeals to many families with children or pets who need room to spread out.
Apartments provide less space but often have desirable amenities like a pool, gym or community room. They also require less upkeep, which can free up time and energy. Many West Jordan residents choose apartments for walkability, while families prefer houses for yard space. Consider your commute, hobbies and stage of life when making your decision.
Which Is Cheaper Long Term in West Jordan?
While renting an apartment is cheaper on a monthly basis, owning a house is often the better financial choice long-term. By building equity and benefiting from potential appreciation, homeowners can grow their net worth over time.
For example, let’s say you buy a $390,000 house in West Jordan with a 10% down payment and 3.5% mortgage rate. After accounting for maintenance, insurance and taxes, your total housing cost over 5 years would be around $142,000. During that same period, you would pay about $111,000 in rent on a comparable apartment, assuming 5% annual increases.
So while you would pay around $31,000 more as a homeowner during those 5 years, you would also gain about $65,000 in equity. Plus, your mortgage payment would stay relatively stable while rents will likely continue to rise. Of course, this is a simplified example – your actual costs and equity gains may vary based on your specific situation and market conditions.
FAQs About Housing Costs in West Jordan
How much more does a house cost per month?
In West Jordan, a typical house costs about $675 more per month than a comparable apartment when you include mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance. However, the exact difference will depend on the size, age and location of the specific properties.
Do houses come with higher utility bills?
Yes, houses in West Jordan tend to have higher utility costs than apartments since they are larger and often have yards to maintain. The average monthly utility cost for a 3BR house is around $250 compared to $120 for a 2BR apartment.
Are apartments cheaper even with pet fees?
In most cases, yes. Even with a monthly pet fee of $25-50, renting an apartment in West Jordan is still cheaper than owning a comparable house when you factor in all costs. However, a house does offer more space and a yard for your furry friend to enjoy.
Making the Right Housing Choice in West Jordan
As this cost comparison shows, apartments are generally cheaper than houses in West Jordan on a monthly basis. The average rent for a 2BR apartment is around $1,850 per month including utilities and fees, while a 3BR house costs closer to $2,525 per month all-in.
However, the long-term financial benefits of owning can make a house the better choice if you plan to stay for several years. Weigh the total costs as well as your lifestyle needs and goals to determine the right option for you. Our [monthly budget examples for West Jordan residents](/west-jordan-ut/monthly-budget/) can help you crunch the numbers and assess your housing budget.