Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare renting vs buying a home.
Result
Verdict
Buying costs less
- Total cost of renting
- $165,509.18
- Net cost of buying
- $123,074.24
- Difference
- $42,434.94
- Buying wins after
- 4years
- Mortgage payment (principal & interest)
- $1,516.96
Common questions
Is it better to rent or buy a home?
It depends on how long you plan to stay, local market conditions, and your financial situation. Buying usually becomes cheaper than renting after 5–7 years due to equity buildup, but upfront costs are higher.
What costs does the rent vs. buy comparison include?
The calculator factors in mortgage payments, property tax, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost of the down payment, rent increases, and home appreciation to give a fair comparison.