Is a composite deck worth the extra cost over pressure-treated wood?

For homeowners staying 7+ years, yes. Composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) costs roughly 2× the upfront price of pressure-treated lumber ($35–$55/sqft installed vs $20–$35/sqft) but eliminates 25+ years of staining, sealing, and board replacement. Annual maintenance for PT wood runs $200–$500 (stain + cleaner + occasional board replacement); composite is $50/year for soap-and-water cleaning. Break-even is typically year 7–9. For a short-stay scenario (selling within 5 years), pressure-treated wins on net cost. Avoid mid-tier 'composite' under $30/sqft — early-generation composites had moisture-retention issues; stick to capped or fully-encapsulated brands.