Rent Vs Buy Calculator (Embed)

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

—

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

Get a real mortgage rate quote in 60 seconds

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.

Free calculator by CalcCottage