Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the true cost of renting vs buying a home over time. Calculate breakeven point, equity buildup, investment opportunity cost, and get a personalized recommendation based on your specific situation.
How to Use Rent vs Buy Calculator
How to Use Rent vs Buy Calculator
Try Example Presets: Click on presets like "Starter Home", "Urban Condo", "Suburban Family Home", or "High Appreciation Market" to see sample scenarios.
Enter Home Price: Input the purchase price of the home you're considering buying.
Enter Down Payment: Input how much you would put down. This amount would alternatively be invested if renting.
Set Mortgage Rate: Enter the annual interest rate for the mortgage.
Select Loan Term: Choose 15, 20, or 30-year mortgage term.
Enter Monthly Rent: Input the current monthly rent for a comparable property.
Set Annual Rent Increase: Estimate how much rent will increase each year (typically 2-5%).
Set Property Appreciation: Estimate annual home value appreciation (historically 3-4%).
Set Investment Return: Enter expected annual return if investing instead of buying (S&P 500 averages ~7-10%).
Add Property Tax Rate: Enter annual property tax as percentage of home value (varies by location, typically 0.5-2.5%).
Add Home Insurance: Enter annual homeowners insurance cost.
Add Maintenance Rate: Set annual maintenance as percentage of home value (typically 1%).
Add HOA Fees: If applicable, enter monthly HOA dues.
Set Closing Costs: Buying costs as percentage of home price (typically 2-5%).
Set Selling Costs: Future selling costs as percentage of home value (typically 6-8% for agent fees, etc.).
Select Analysis Period: Choose 5, 10, 15, or 30 years to compare.
Click Compare: Press Compare to see the full analysis.
Review Recommendation: See whether renting or buying is better for your situation and by how much.
Check Breakeven: See when buying becomes better than renting (if applicable).
View Year-by-Year: Click "Show Table" to see detailed comparison for each year.
Key Factors
- Opportunity Cost: Down payment could earn investment returns if renting instead.
- Equity Buildup: Mortgage payments build ownership stake in the property.
- Appreciation: Property values typically increase over time, building wealth.
- Tax Benefits: Mortgage interest and property tax deductions (not included in calculator).
- Flexibility: Renting offers more mobility; buying creates stability.
- Hidden Costs: Maintenance, repairs, and transaction costs add up for homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
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