Mortgage & Real Estate

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the total financial outcome of renting versus buying a home over your expected time horizon.

Enter your numbers

Adjust any field and recalculate — figures are pre-filled with a typical example.

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Results will appear here.
How it works

Formula & explanation

Rent vs Buy Calculator uses the following calculation:

NetBuyCost = CashOutlay − (HomeValue − LoanBalance − DownPayment)

This is a simplified model intended for planning and education. Real-world offers from lenders, institutions, or tax authorities may include additional fees, rules, or adjustments not reflected here.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay for buying to make sense?

Generally the longer you stay, the more buying tends to win, since upfront transaction costs get amortized over more years and equity builds.

Does this include closing costs and selling costs?

This simplified model focuses on ongoing payments, appreciation, and maintenance — add transaction costs manually for a fuller picture.

What's the biggest driver of the result?

Local rent growth versus home appreciation rates tend to swing the comparison the most over long horizons.

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