Plan · Rent vs. buy
Rent vs. buy calculator
Compare rent paid with a simplified net cost of buying across a time horizon you choose.
Scenario inputs
Change the assumptions.
- Monthly rent
- Annual rent growth (% / year)
- Home price
- Down payment
- Interest rate (%)
- Loan term (years)
- Property tax (% / year)
- Home insurance (/ year)
- Maintenance (% of home / year)
- Home appreciation (% / year)
- Selling costs (% of home value)
- Time to compare (years)
Open the interactive calculator to enter values. Calculations run in your browser. Editing inputs does not change the page URL. Share calculation includes your inputs after # in the shared link. This URL fragment is not sent in the page HTTP request. Anyone with the link can read its values. Avoid sharing sensitive financial information.
How it works
The horizon changes the story.
The estimate grows rent annually, adds the modeled cash costs of owning, subtracts remaining home equity, and includes selling costs at the end of the selected horizon.
This is a simplified scenario comparison, not a housing recommendation. It excludes closing costs, utilities, tax deductions, financing opportunity cost, repairs beyond the maintenance assumption, and local market differences.
Common questions
Before you use the number.
What does buying cost include?
The illustration includes the down payment, mortgage principal and interest, property tax, insurance, maintenance, and selling costs, then subtracts estimated remaining home equity.
Does this tell me whether I should rent or buy?
No. It makes selected assumptions visible so you can compare scenarios. Lifestyle, mobility, liquidity, taxes, and local conditions are not fully captured.
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