Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the estimated cost of renting with the cost of owning a home over the same period.

🏠 Buying

Home Price

Down Payment

Interest Rate %

Loan Term (Years)

Property Tax % / Year

Home Insurance / Year

Maintenance % / Year

Buying Costs %

Selling Costs %

Home Value Growth % / Year

🔑 Renting

Monthly Rent

Annual Rent Increase %

Renter Insurance / Month

Compare Over (Years)

Estimated Comparison

Estimated Net Cost of Buying—

Estimated Cost of Renting—

Difference—

Lower estimated cost over the selected period—

Initial Down Payment—Buy

Mortgage Payments Made—Buy

Taxes + Insurance + Maintenance—Buy

Estimated Home Value—Asset

Remaining Mortgage Balance—Liability

Estimated Home Equity After Selling Costs—Equity

Total Rent + Renter Insurance—Rent

Planning estimate only. This comparison does not include every possible factor such as taxes on transactions or gains, tax deductions, HOA fees, opportunity cost of invested cash, utilities, moving costs, financing fees or local legal costs.

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Use this calculator to compare the estimated long-term financial cost of renting a home with buying one. It combines mortgage payments and common ownership costs with estimated home equity, then compares that result with rent paid over the same period.

How the buying estimate works

The buying side includes the down payment, estimated purchase costs, mortgage payments, property tax, home insurance and maintenance. Estimated home equity is subtracted after accounting for the remaining mortgage and estimated selling costs.

How the renting estimate works

The renting side totals monthly rent and renter insurance while applying the annual rent increase you enter.

Use realistic assumptions

Future home prices, rent increases, maintenance and interest costs are uncertain. Try several scenarios rather than relying on a single set of assumptions.