What a rent vs buy calculator does
It estimates the financial difference between continuing to rent and purchasing a home over the same time horizon, using both monthly costs and exit assumptions.
Real estate calculator
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the estimated financial cost of renting versus buying a home over your chosen timeline in one calm, practical layout. Review net housing cost, equity, appreciation, selling assumptions, and break-even timing while keeping in mind that the result depends on the assumptions you choose.
Editor
Rent vs buy assumptions
Compare renting and buying in one calm, practical layout. The totals, break-even estimate, chart, and breakdown update live as you adjust costs and assumptions.
Inputs
Keep the renting assumptions, buying assumptions, and resale timeline together so the comparison stays easy to scan.
Renting assumptions
Set the recurring and upfront costs tied to renting.
Buying assumptions
Enter the home purchase, financing, and recurring ownership costs.
Switch between percentage and dollar amount.
Time horizon and resale assumptions
Stay length, appreciation, and selling costs often change the comparison more than people expect.
Results
Estimated rent vs buy comparison
Compare the estimated net cost of renting and buying over your chosen timeline. These numbers are planning estimates, not market guarantees.
Buying may cost less
$41,225.10
Over 7 years, the estimated net cost of buying comes in lower by $41,225.10.
Estimated total cost of renting
$205,055.67
Includes rent and renter moving costs, with the security deposit treated as refundable.
Estimated total net cost of buying
$163,830.57
Cash outflows during ownership minus estimated net sale proceeds at exit.
Estimated home equity built
$201,429.24
Estimated home value minus the remaining mortgage balance before selling costs.
Estimated break-even point
4 years 1 month
The first modeled point where buying net cost falls to or below renting net cost.
Monthly mortgage payment
$2,075.51
Principal and interest only.
Estimated total monthly ownership cost
$2,925.51
Includes principal and interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and maintenance.
Estimated net sale proceeds
+$171,912.27
Estimated sale price minus selling costs and remaining mortgage balance.
Total rent paid
$205,055.67
Rent only, before renter moving costs and deposit adjustment.
Estimated net cost over time
Each point asks the same question at a different exit date: if you stopped renting or sold the home then, what would the estimated net housing cost look like?
Buying net cost
Renting net cost
$205.1K$102.5K$0
StartYear 4Year 7
Comparison breakdown
This summary compares the major cost drivers behind the renting and buying totals.
| Line item | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Total rent paid | $205,055.67 | N/A |
| Renter upfront costs | $2,200.00 | N/A |
| Security deposit refund | -$2,200.00 | N/A |
| Mortgage principal and interest paid | N/A | $174,342.84 |
| Property taxes paid | N/A | $33,600.00 |
| Homeowners insurance paid | N/A | $12,600.00 |
| HOA paid | N/A | $0.00 |
| Maintenance paid | N/A | $25,200.00 |
| Buyer upfront costs | N/A | $90,000.00 |
| Estimated home value at sale | N/A | $491,949.55 |
| Estimated selling costs | N/A | $29,516.97 |
| Remaining mortgage balance | N/A | $290,520.31 |
| Estimated net sale proceeds | N/A | +$171,912.27 |
| Estimated total net cost of renting | $205,055.67 | N/A |
| Estimated total net cost of buying | N/A | $163,830.57 |
How it works
What this rent vs buy calculator helps you compare
This calculator estimates the financial side of renting versus buying a home over a chosen time horizon. It focuses on cost comparison, equity, appreciation, and selling assumptions without pretending to predict the housing market.
Why monthly payment alone is not enough
Mortgage principal and interest is only one part of buying. Taxes, insurance, maintenance, HOA fees, closing costs, and selling costs can materially change the comparison.
How ongoing ownership costs affect buying
Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance continue whether or not home prices rise. Those costs can make buying less attractive over shorter stays.
How rent increases affect the renting side
Renting can look cheaper at first, but even modest annual rent growth adds up over time. That is why this comparison models rent growth instead of holding rent flat forever.
Why time horizon and break-even matter
Buying often starts with larger upfront costs, so the result can change significantly based on how long you stay. The break-even estimate shows when buying first catches up financially.
Why these results are estimates
Real outcomes depend on what happens to rent growth, appreciation, taxes, insurance, repairs, mortgage terms, transaction costs, and how long you truly stay in the property.