Timeshare True Cost Calculator
Add up the real lifetime cost of a timeshare — purchase, loan interest and rising annual maintenance fees.
How it works
Financed cost = payment × loan months (payment on price at APR) · Fees = Σ fee·(1+g)^y for y = 0…N−1 · True cost = financed cost + fees
A timeshare’s sticker price is only the beginning. Developer financing often carries credit-card-like rates, and the annual maintenance fee — which you owe every year whether you visit or not — typically climbs faster than inflation. Summing the financed purchase plus decades of growing fees usually reveals a true cost several times the headline price, which is why timeshares are hard to resell for anything near what owners paid.
Worked example
A $20,000 timeshare financed at 15% over 10 years costs about $322.66/mo, or roughly $38,719 including $18,719 of interest. Add a $1,200 maintenance fee rising 5% a year for 20 years (about $39,679), and the true 20-year cost is roughly $78,398 — nearly $3,920 per year owned.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a timeshare’s true cost so much higher than the price?
Two reasons: developer financing often runs 12–18% APR, and the annual maintenance fee recurs for as long as you own — usually rising 4–6% a year. Over 20+ years those fees alone can exceed the original purchase price.
Do maintenance fees really keep rising?
Yes. Maintenance fees are set by the resort and have historically outpaced general inflation, and special assessments for renovations can add one-off charges on top. This calculator lets you model an annual increase to see the effect.
Can I just sell it later?
The timeshare resale market is notoriously weak — many resell for a fraction of the purchase price or even $1, and the obligation to pay fees continues until you successfully transfer it. Factor that into whether the lifetime cost is worth it.
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Educational estimate, not financial advice. Actual loan terms, fees and taxes vary by lender.