How Does the Rent vs Buy Calculator Work?

This rent vs buy calculator helps you easily compare the long-term financial benefits of renting a home versus buying one. By entering your monthly rent, expected rent increases, home price, down payment, mortgage rate, property taxes, home appreciation, and how long you plan to live there, you'll see whether renting or buying is better financially over time.

The calculator considers all the major financial factors, including rent increases, mortgage payments, home appreciation, property taxes, and maintenance costs, to show you a clear comparison. This helps you make a well-informed decision about whether buying or renting makes the most sense for your personal situation.

Why Use a Rent vs Buy Calculator?

Choosing between renting or buying can be complicated. Both options have hidden costs and financial considerations. Many people assume buying is always better, but that isn’t always true—especially if you don't plan to stay in the home long-term. This calculator clarifies the financial implications of both choices.

Using this tool helps you see clearly which option saves you money and builds wealth over your intended time frame, empowering you to make smarter financial decisions.

Understanding Your Rent vs Buy Results

The calculator provides a detailed comparison of renting vs. buying over your chosen timeframe. It calculates how much you'll pay in total rent, accounting for annual rent increases. For buying, it considers your mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance costs while subtracting home equity gains from appreciation and loan repayments.

You'll clearly see the net cost of renting compared to the net cost (or wealth) gained from buying, helping you decide whether purchasing a home is financially advantageous.

Our new fields also account for closing costs when you buy and the potential growth you miss out on by tying up cash in a down payment. Including these expenses gives a more realistic side-by-side comparison.

What Influences Rent vs Buy Decisions?

Key factors influencing whether renting or buying is smarter financially include how long you plan to stay in the home, local housing market trends, expected rent increases, mortgage rates, property taxes, and maintenance costs.

Typically, buying makes more financial sense the longer you plan to stay, especially if home prices increase steadily. Short-term stays generally favor renting, as homeownership costs are spread out over time.

Who Should Use This Calculator?

This calculator is ideal for first-time homebuyers, individuals relocating to new cities, or anyone weighing the pros and cons of renting versus buying. Real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, and financial advisors also use this tool to help clients clearly see the long-term financial impacts of their housing decisions.

By using this calculator early in your decision-making process, you can confidently choose the housing option that best suits your personal financial goals and lifestyle.