Real Estate & RentUpdated · Aug 2026

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare cumulative rent with net ownership cost including equity, entry and sale costs, and foregone growth on upfront cash.

~30s to useFormula and inputs shown·1 FAQ
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Rent vs Buy Calculator

Change the inputs that matter to your decision. Optional assumptions stay collapsed until you need them.

Compare today's options

The comparison includes ownership costs plus entry, exit, and down-payment opportunity costs.

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Rent versus buy
Lower modeled cost after 10 years
Buy

Buying is lower by $65,214 under the entered assumptions.

Cumulative rent$343,916
Net buy cost$278,702
Home equity$282,926
Break-even point: Year 6

Net buy cost includes $34,270 of sale costs and $61,474 of foregone growth on upfront cash.

Cost comparison checkpoints
Year 1$30,000 rent$64,166 net buy cost · $101,550 equity
Year 5$159,274 rent$163,971 net buy cost · $174,414 equity
Year 10$343,916 rent$278,702 net buy cost · $282,926 equity

This is a scenario model, not a forecast. It excludes income-tax effects, renter insurance, moving costs, renovation, and investment of future monthly cost differences.

/ 01 · FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Practical notes about the inputs, assumptions, and result.

A down payment could otherwise earn a return, and selling typically consumes part of the home's value. Including both avoids an unrealistically early break-even result.

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