Rent vs Buy Calculator

This calculator compares the true financial cost of buying a home versus renting over a chosen time horizon, factoring in more than just the monthly payment.

On the buy side, it totals your down payment, mortgage payments, and estimated maintenance costs, then subtracts the equity you'd build from paydown and appreciation. On the rent side, it projects total rent paid with a typical annual increase, then compares the two net costs.

Example: On a $500,000 home with $100,000 down at 6.5% versus $2,500/month rent over 10 years, the calculator weighs your net buying cost (after equity) against total rent paid to declare which option comes out ahead financially.