Is it better to rent or buy in 2026?

The decision depends on interest rates, home prices, and your timeline. Generally, buying is better if you plan to stay 5-7+ years. Use our calculator to find your specific break-even point.

What is the 5% rule for renting vs buying?

The 5% rule states that unrecoverable costs of owning are roughly 5% of the home value annually (1% property tax, 1% maintenance, 3% cost of capital). If annual rent is less than 5% of the home price, renting may be cheaper.

SmartRentOrBuy

Real Estate Appraisers in Chicago, IL

Licensed professionals who provide independent valuations of real estate properties for buyers, sellers, lenders, and investors.

50 verified providers in Chicago, IL

Top Real Estate Appraisers in Chicago, IL

Compare ratings, reviews, and services to find the right professional for your needs.

PARTNER VALUATION ADVISORS

Chicago, IL

5.0(73 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Richard Roddewig

Chicago, IL

5.0(63 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

NEWMARK VALUATION AND ADVISORY LLC

Chicago, IL

5.0(61 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Jules Marling

Chicago, IL

5.0(57 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Abby Chojar

Chicago, IL

4.9(114 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Seamus King

Chicago, IL

4.9(106 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Jordan Briceland

Chicago, IL

4.9(103 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

SCOTT BELSKY

Chicago, IL

4.9(102 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

NPV ADVISORS

Chicago, IL

4.9(44 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

STOUT

Chicago, IL

4.9(42 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

VALUCENTRIC

Chicago, IL

4.9(26 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Vytautas Norusis

Chicago, IL

4.9(13 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Morgan Wiseman

Chicago, IL

4.8(104 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Keith Darin

Chicago, IL

4.8(69 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

FAUCHER MARIE_DANIELLE FOR WEITZMAN ASSOC

Chicago, IL

4.8(27 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Donald Hall

Chicago, IL

4.8(9 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

ENLOE REAL ESTATE LLC

Chicago, IL

4.8(8 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Shillah Feuerbacher

Chicago, IL

4.7(141 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Albert Karls

Chicago, IL

4.7(133 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

JGJ CONSULTING

Chicago, IL

4.7(117 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

KROLL, LLC

Chicago, IL

4.7(105 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

JLL

Chicago, IL

4.7(74 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

PROPERTY VALUATION ADVISORS, INC

Chicago, IL

4.6(146 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

JONES LANG LASALLE

Chicago, IL

4.6(105 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Michael Norris

Chicago, IL

4.6(103 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

INTEGRA REALTY RESOURCES CHICAGO

Chicago, IL

4.6(85 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Steven Chod

Chicago, IL

4.6(16 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

COHNREZNICK LLP

Chicago, IL

4.6(15 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

CALVANICO JOSEPH J

Chicago, IL

4.5(10 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

INTEGRA REALTY RESOURCES - CHICAGO

Chicago, IL

4.4(134 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

CAPRIGHT PROPERTY ADVISORS

Chicago, IL

4.4(132 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP

Chicago, IL

4.4(94 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD

Chicago, IL

4.4(61 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

JONES LANG LASALLE VALUATION & ADVISORY SERV LLC

Chicago, IL

4.4(14 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

SAGE COMMERCIAL ADVISORY

Chicago, IL

4.4(12 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

PWC

Chicago, IL

4.3(147 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Marlena Culver

Chicago, IL

4.3(71 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Kyle Ezell

Chicago, IL

4.3(14 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

NEWMARK

Chicago, IL

4.2(120 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

John Krueger

Chicago, IL

4.2(71 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Zachary Thomas

Chicago, IL

4.2(49 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

CBRE, INC

Chicago, IL

4.1(132 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Joseph Miller

Chicago, IL

4.1(64 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Spencer Chamberlin

Chicago, IL

4.1(48 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

NEWMARK VALUATION & ADVISORY

Chicago, IL

4.1(44 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, IL

4.1(31 reviews)

Licensed real estate appraiser in IL.

Michael Gathman

Chicago, IL

4.0(57 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Eric Enloe

Chicago, IL

4.0(16 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Kenneth Konrath

Chicago, IL

3.9(150 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

David Walden

Chicago, IL

3.9(135 reviews)

Licensed certified general appraiser in Colorado.

Not Sure If You Should Rent or Buy in Chicago, IL?

Use our advanced calculator to analyze the true costs and see which option makes more financial sense for your situation.

View Chicago, IL Market Analysis