Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the long-term cost of renting versus buying a home. See how monthly ownership costs, equity buildup, home appreciation, and the opportunity cost of your down payment stack up over time.

Home priceDown paymentMortgage rate (%)Loan term (years)Property tax (annual)Home insurance (annual)Maintenance (annual)HOA (monthly)Current monthly rentRent growth (%/yr)Home appreciation (%/yr)Investment return if renting (%/yr)Compare over (years)

Monthly ownership cost

$3,175

Principal & interest + taxes + insurance + maintenance + HOA

If you buy

Total cash spent (down + payments): $356,737
Home value after period: $553,443
Remaining mortgage: $325,498
Equity built: $227,945
Net cost (cash spent − equity): $128,793

If you rent

Total rent paid over period: $220,679
Opportunity cost (down payment not invested): $54,520
Effective net cost: $275,199

After 7 years

Buying is ahead by $146,407 (net of equity vs opportunity cost).

Break-even around year 1 (when cumulative net cost of buying drops below renting, before transaction costs).

This is a simplified model. It ignores taxes, selling costs, PMI, rate changes, and major repairs. Use it as a directional guide, not financial advice.