Buying & selling
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare estimated unrecoverable costs over a selected time period. Optional fields can be left blank.
Calculate your result
What this calculator estimates
Compare the long-term cost of renting and buying. It combines the inputs below to produce Lower estimated cost. Every assumption remains editable so the estimate can reflect the property, financing and location being evaluated.
Worked example
Using the displayed sample assumptions, the calculator produces $107,011. This is an illustration, not a market quote. Change one input at a time to understand what drives the result.
Inputs and assumptions
- Current monthly rent — sample input: 2400 currency units
- Annual rent increase — optional — sample input: 3 %
- Home purchase price — sample input: 600000 currency units
- Down payment — sample input: 120000 currency units
- Mortgage rate — sample input: 4.5 %
- Amortization — sample input: 25 years
- Monthly tax, insurance, fees and maintenance — sample input: 1100 currency units
- Annual appreciation — optional — sample input: 3 %
- Comparison period — sample input: 5 years
- Selling costs at end — optional — sample input: 5 %
How to interpret the result
Include immediate work and transaction costs in the decision. Compare a conservative case with an expected case and keep a record of the assumptions used.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not confuse purchase price with total cash required. Local definitions, taxes, lending practices and measurement requirements can materially change the result.
Frequently asked questions
What most affects the comparison?
Purchase costs, rent growth, appreciation, mortgage terms, maintenance, selling costs and the expected holding period can all materially change the result.
Does the calculator predict future prices?
No. Appreciation and rent growth are scenarios entered by the user, not forecasts.
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Reviewed 2026-09-08.