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Timeshare Math

Is a timeshare worth it? Ownership versus renting the same week.

A presentation spends 90 minutes on the week. This spends 90 seconds on purchase, interest, maintenance, assessments, and the same week rented. If renting wins, that is the result — this page is not here to rescue the contract.

Takes about 90 seconds to complete. No account needed.

1

Enter the offer details

Purchase price, annual fees, and how you'd use it.

2

We run the lifetime math

Total cost, opportunity cost, and the rental alternative.

3

See the real comparison

Buy vs. rent — with the industry's own numbers.

The offer

12 major developers. Pick yours to autofill price and fees — you can override below.

Industry average per ARDA 2025 is $23,160. Brand averages range $15k–$45k.

Avg per Ernst & Young 2025. Escalates ~5% per year, baked into the math.

Most owners keep 15-25 years before resale or default.

Financing

Fill in the offer — we'll show what ownership actually costs vs. booking the same trip every year.

How we got these numbers

Average purchase price ($23,160), financing rate (~17%), and ownership length come from the American Resort Development Association's 2025 State of the Industry report. Annual maintenance ($1,480) and ~5% escalation come from Ernst & Young's 2025 timeshare study. Resale recovery (~10%) reflects RedWeek and Timeshare Users Group resale data — most timeshares sell for pennies on the dollar. Opportunity cost uses 7% (S&P 500 long-term average).

See sources

Timeshare Math — Common Questions

Is buying a timeshare worth it?

For most buyers, no. The average timeshare purchase price is $23,160, maintenance fees average $1,480 per year and escalate ~5% annually, and resale values are near zero. The calculator compares your total lifetime ownership cost against booking the equivalent hotel or rental each year — the math almost always favors renting.

Can you get out of a timeshare?

Yes, but it is difficult and often costly. Options include selling on the resale market (typically for pennies on the dollar), deed-back programs offered by some resorts, or working with a licensed timeshare exit attorney. Be wary of exit companies charging large upfront fees without guarantees.

What are timeshare maintenance fees?

Timeshare maintenance fees average $1,480 per year in 2026 (ARDA data) and typically increase 5% annually. Over a 20-year ownership period, maintenance fees alone can exceed $48,000 — often more than the original purchase price, on top of any mortgage payments.

Is it cheaper to rent a timeshare than buy one?

Almost always yes. RedWeek and Timeshare Users Group list the same weeks for a fraction of ownership once purchase, interest, and maintenance are in the total. The result shows per-year owning versus per-year renting, and whether owning ever catches renting inside 30 years.

Should I sign the timeshare on the tour?

No. The “today only” price is the presentation. Run the purchase, the interest rate, the maintenance fee, and the same week rented before you sign. Most states give a rescission window measured in days after you sign, not weeks after you get home and do the math. This page is not a law firm.

Are timeshare exit companies a good idea?

Treat an exit company that wants a large fee up front as a second sales pitch. Legitimate paths are a resale (often pennies on the dollar), a developer deed-back if one exists, or a licensed attorney. This calculator does not sell exits. If renting wins, price a normal trip on Trip Plan instead of buying the contract.

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