Rent vs Buy Calculator
Real Estate & MortgageCompare the total cost of renting vs. buying a home over a given number of years.
Changing the display currency only changes the symbol shown — amounts aren't converted, since this tool doesn't use live exchange rates.
Renting
Buying
Property tax isn't included as a dollar figure — factor your local rate into the maintenance field if you want it reflected.
Total cost of renting: $0
Total cost of buying: $0
Over this period
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How this is calculated
Renting totals rent paid (with annual growth) plus the opportunity cost of investing the down payment instead. Buying totals the down payment, mortgage payments, and insurance/maintenance, minus the principal paid down (since that builds equity rather than being a true cost). Property tax isn’t modeled as a separate dollar figure — fold your local rate into the maintenance field if you want it reflected.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this account for home price appreciation?
- Not directly — it compares cash outlay and equity built, not resale value. If you expect significant appreciation, that would further favor buying beyond what this comparison shows.
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