Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare renting vs buying by modeling rent growth, home appreciation, mortgage costs, and investment returns. Export your results to CSV.
Winner
Buy
Difference: $56,561
Horizon
7 years
Monthly P&I (buy): $2,275.44
How this works
This model compares net worth after your chosen time horizon. It assumes renters invest the down payment + closing costs and owners invest any monthly savings when renting is cheaper.
| Year | Rent | Equity | Owner Net | Renter Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,260 | $107,524 | $107,524 | $103,110 |
| 2 | $2,328 | $125,722 | $125,722 | $108,266 |
| 3 | $2,398 | $144,625 | $144,625 | $113,679 |
| 4 | $2,470 | $164,265 | $164,265 | $119,363 |
| 5 | $2,544 | $184,674 | $184,674 | $125,331 |
| 6 | $2,620 | $205,888 | $205,888 | $131,597 |
| 7 | $2,699 | $227,945 | $227,945 | $138,177 |
Our rent vs buy calculator helps you compare the financial trade-offs of renting and buying under different market assumptions. Adjust the inputs to match your location and expected time horizon.
Common Use Cases
- ✓Relocation decisions
Compare renting and buying if you expect to move again in a few years.
- ✓Market assumptions
Test different home appreciation and rent growth rates.
- ✓Opportunity cost
Model how investing a down payment and closing costs might change the outcome.
- ✓Planning with costs
Include property tax, insurance, HOA, maintenance, and selling costs.
Key Features
Net worth comparison
Estimates a renter investment account vs homeowner equity plus investments.
Year-by-year snapshot
See a simple yearly table for your chosen horizon.
CSV export
Download the yearly snapshot for spreadsheets.
Privacy-first
Runs in your browser—no sign-up and no data stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rent vs buy purely financial?
No. Lifestyle preferences, flexibility, local market risk, and personal goals matter. This calculator is a planning tool to compare financial outcomes under your assumptions.
What does 'net worth' mean in this model?
For buying, net worth is estimated sale equity plus an investment account built from monthly savings if buying is cheaper than renting. For renting, net worth is an investment account funded by the down payment and closing costs you didn't spend on a home.
Does it include taxes?
No. It does not model mortgage interest deductions, capital gains rules, or tax credits. Add taxes separately if needed.
How accurate is this?
It is an estimate based on simplified assumptions. Real outcomes depend on actual rent changes, home prices, repairs, timing, and transaction costs.