Buy vs. Rent PCS Calculator
Should you buy or rent at Fort Hood? Enter your PCS timeline and see the real numbers side by side — rank, BAH, tour length, and the exact break-even month.
Under this calculator’s default assumptions, buying reaches break-even near month 28–29. That is a modeled scenario, not a prediction for your home or tour. Change the rate, price, rent, and annual home price change below; shorter tours or falling home values can leave you owing cash when you sell.
In the worked example below, an E-5 with dependents ($1,695/mo BAH) buying a $195,000 home in Killeen saves $5,117 by buying over a 3-year tour under the modeled assumptions. On a 1-year tour, the same scenario favors renting by $10,568, including the buyer’s $8,933 cash shortfall at sale. Buyer closing costs are excluded. Change the inputs below to test your own timeline.
A VA loan can offer 0% down and no PMI, but other closing costs may still be due. This model finances a 2.15% funding fee; some borrowers are exempt. Review your lender’s Loan Estimate. Keeping the home as a rental requires a separate analysis of rent, vacancy, repairs, and management costs.
Why tour length decides it
Where does buying overtake renting?
Buying carries upfront friction — closing costs to sell, the funding fee, and early payments that are mostly interest. The longer you hold, the more equity and appreciation you recover. This timeline shows the modeled break-even point against common Fort Hood tour lengths at default assumptions (5.75% rate, 3.5% appreciation).
Worked examples
What the numbers look like by rank and tour
These scenarios use the same engine as the live calculator below — default 5.75% rate, 3.5% annual appreciation, with dependents, and a purchase price set to the maximum your BAH supports. They compare modeled costs to rent vs. buy over the tour; buyer closing costs are excluded.
Net cost includes payments and maintenance, minus net sale proceeds after the remaining mortgage balance and 7% selling costs. Negative sale proceeds mean cash due at sale and increase the cost of buying. Buyer closing costs are not included in this model. The 1-year tour example shows why short PCS timelines favor renting: you sell before crossing the ~29-month break-even. Your real numbers depend on the home you buy, your rate, and whether you sell or keep the property as a rental.
Your situation
Enter your details
Cost over time
Cumulative net cost: rent vs. buy
Methodology
What this calculator assumes
- VA loan: 0% down payment, no PMI
- VA funding fee assumption: 2.15% (first use, rolled into loan; exemptions and other terms may apply). VA funding fee and closing-cost guidance.
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- Renter’s insurance: $25/month
- Homeowner’s insurance: 0.85% of home value annually
- Closing costs to sell: 7% (commissions + title + fees)
- Average maintenance: 1% of home value per year
- Property tax rates: real Bell County city rates
- BAH rates: 2026 Fort Hood published rates
- No rent increases assumed (conservative for renting)
Common questions
Fort Hood buy vs. rent FAQ
Does a VA loan require a down payment to buy a house near Fort Hood?
Should I buy or rent near Fort Hood Texas?
What is the 2026 BAH rate for Fort Hood?
What are the property tax rates near Fort Hood?
Can I keep my house as a rental when I PCS from Fort Hood?
Ready to run the numbers on a real property?
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Free Buy vs Rent Review
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Send your timeline, BAH band, and whether you might keep the house as a rental. Taylor will reply with the practical buy, rent, or wait recommendation.
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More Fort Hood & Temple tools
Estimates for educational purposes only. Actual costs depend on credit, lender terms, property condition, and market changes. Consult a licensed lender for official figures.