There’s a reason so many Las Vegas residents continue to rent. Many simply don’t believe they can afford to buy a house. They don’t know the math behind renting vs. owning in Las Vegas, or the many options they have to bring down the cost of buying their first home. Touchstone Living strives to make homeownership more affordable for Las Vegas renters. We’ve run the numbers and offer many solutions for overcoming the barriers first-time buyers face. Your rent check builds someone’s wealth-just not yours.
Not sure if you qualify? Let the Touchstone experts run your real number and build your gameplan. No application, no pressure and no harm to your credit.
Doing the math of renting vs. owning a home in Las Vegas
Only about 59% of Las Vegas residents own their homes. That’s the lowest homeownership rate in all of Nevada. Many just assume their family can only afford to rent, without doing the math. But you may be surprised when you actually run the numbers.
Renting could seem economical at first, but you lose the advantage from when you add in the long-term benefits of homeownership. Let’s start with the average rent at approximately $1,900/month, with zero equity, zero appreciation, and no protection from future rent increases. With an annual rent hike, you could pay your landlord over $114,000. Buying can seem like a lot upfront, but you really see the benefits as rents rise and your 30 year fixed-rate mortgage stays the same. Ten minutes with Touchstone expert gets you on the path to homeownership.
Rent vs. own – the Las Vegas math (2026, approx.)
While the average mortgage payment is a little higher than the average rent, homeowners get so much more in return. That little bit of money buys a home that grows in value, with a payment that doesn’t go up. The math is clear–owning a home is more beneficial in the long run!
The benefits of renting vs. owning in Las Vegas
Renting is convenient at first, but over time, renters begin to lose out on real benefits. They spend more and more money without getting more in return.
Homeowners, on the other hand, have a long-term investment with growing equity. Payments don’t suddenly increase. They make all the decisions for their own homes. Owners are in charge. When considering renting vs. owning, it’s clear which benefits Las Vegas residents the most!
How to afford to own a home in Las Vegas
What many renters don’t realize is that they may not need a large amount of money up front to buy a house. There are many programs and loan options to help first-time buyers afford to own.
First-time homebuyer loan options in Nevada
Beyond loans, there is a second layer of assistance for Nevada residents that can help them afford their first home. Programs such as the Nevada Housing Division’s “Home is Possible” offer down payment assistance. Teachers and military members/veterans may qualify for more competitive loan rates. Combining these types of programs with one of the loans above can bring the cost of homebuying way down.
Touchstone Living Can Help
Which combination of loans and programs fits a prospective new home buyer is just a five-minute conversation with an experienced Touchstone Living neighborhood expert—no harm to credit! It is our mission to make homeownership more accessible and affordable. In addition to state programs, we offer
- $0 down programs
- All closing costs covered
- Low rates
- New appliances, blinds, and more in every house
Rent vs own in Las Vegas–common myths debunked
What stops many Las Vegas residents from transitioning from a renter to a homeowner? Let’s bust some common myths!
Myth: You need 20% down to buy a home
Fact: Most first-time homebuyers put down a lot less. Nevada assistance programs, stacked on top of Touchstone’s $0 closing costs and $0 Down Payment, make homeownership possible.
Myth: My credit is not good
Fact: First-time homebuyer programs are built for a range of credit scores. A Touchstone neighborhood expert can let you know in 5 minutes if you prequalify for a loan, and a lender can walk you through a game plan to qualify with them.
Myth: I have to be debt-free first
Fact: Plenty of buyers qualify for mortgages with existing car payments, student loans, credit card debt, etc. Our lender looks at the whole picture and not a zero-balance requirement.
Myth: Renting is cheaper
Fact: Month-to-month rentals can be slightly cheaper, but rent builds zero equity, and you get annual rent hikes. You are already making a housing payment; the only question is whose wealth it builds–yours or the landlord’s?
Myth: Buying a new construction home costs more and is more complicated than a resale home
Fact: Touchstone Living’s new construction homes often come with builder incentives, warranties, and an on-site lender who handles financing in one place. There are no realtor fees. This reduces your cost and makes a simple path to homeownership.
Myth: I need to save for years before I can start looking
Fact: Various loan programs combined with Touchstone’s builder incentives shorten this timeline. You could be in your new home in as little as 30 days!
Myth: Getting pre-approved locks me in and hurts my credit
Fact: A no-commitment initial conversation is all that is needed. No harm to credit score.
Get the facts. Stop renting. Own your future.
There is no reason to talk yourself out of buying a house based on outdated myths. Arm yourself with facts and knowledge and create your wealth-building journey now. Connect with our neighborhood experts to tour your future home and make a plan. Homeownership Is Possible, and Touchstone is here to help you every step of the way.