House Hacking Calculator — Live-in-Unit Real Estate Investment Analysis

Sample: Duplex, $380,000 Purchase, 20% Down — Live in One Unit, Rent the Other

$1,650

Monthly Mortgage (P&I)

$950

Monthly Rental Income

$700

Your Net Housing Cost

Monthly Savings vs. Renting

$700/mo

You save $700/month compared to renting — $8,400/year in your pocket

What the House Hacking Calculator Does

🏠 Rental Offset Analysis

Calculates exactly how much your rental income reduces your monthly mortgage payment. Works for any number of rental units (1–4).

💰 Break-Even Rent Calculator

At what rent level does your housing cost become $0? The template calculates the exact rent needed to house-hack for free.

📊 Cash-on-Cash Return

Your actual return on the cash you put down, accounting for rental income offset and all carrying costs.

📅 5-Year Cost Comparison

Compare 5 years of renting vs. house hacking — total cost, equity buildup, and net worth difference over time.

🔄 Multi-Unit Scenarios

Supports duplex, triplex, and 4-unit properties. Model 2, 3, or 4-unit scenarios with different rent configurations.

✅ Financing Comparison

Compare conventional, FHA, and VA loan scenarios side-by-side. FHA mortgage insurance impact calculated automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is house hacking?

House hacking is buying a multi-unit property (or a single-family with an ADU), living in one unit, and renting out the others. The rental income offsets your mortgage, dramatically reducing or eliminating your housing cost while you build equity in an appreciating asset.

What loan type is best for house hacking?

FHA loans (3.5% down) are popular for house hacking because they allow you to finance multi-unit properties with just 3.5% down. Conventional loans typically require 15-20% down for multi-unit. VA loans (0% down) are the most powerful if you have eligibility.

How much of my mortgage can rental income cover?

It depends on the number of units and rent levels. A duplex with the right purchase price can often cover 50–100% of your mortgage with one unit rented. Our template calculates the exact offset based on your numbers.

Do I have to live in the smallest unit?

Not necessarily. Some house hackers prefer the smaller unit to maximize rental income. Others prefer the larger unit for quality of life. Our template lets you model both scenarios.

What's the 1% rule for house hacking?

The 1% rule says a rental property is potentially viable if the monthly rent is at least 1% of the purchase price. For a $300,000 property, that means at least $3,000/month in total rent. Our template flags whether your deal meets this threshold.