Rent Vs Buy Calculator (Embed)

By Meraj Uddin Provat · Last reviewed May 23, 2026 · Editorial Standards

Rent vs Buy Calculator

When does buying become cheaper than renting? Updates live as you type.

If you buy

Home price

Down payment (%)

Mortgage rate (%)

Loan term (years)

Property tax (% / year)

Maintenance + HOA (% / year)

Home appreciation (% / year)

If you rent

Monthly rent (comparable home)

Rent increase (% / year)

Investment return (% / year) What your down payment would earn invested instead

Marginal tax bracket (%) For mortgage interest deduction. 0 if you take the standard deduction.

Common assumptions

Years you'll stay

10 years

Buying closing costs (% of price)

Selling costs (% of sale price)

Recommendation

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Adjust the inputs to see when buying breaks even with renting.

Cumulative net cost over time

Lower is better. Where the lines cross is your break-even year.

Cost of buying Cost of renting

Year-by-year comparison

Year	Buy net cost	Rent net cost	Difference

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Estimates only. Real outcomes depend on local market conditions, your actual loan terms, tax situation, and the specific home and rental you're comparing. Not financial advice. See methodology below.

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