The rent vs. buy decision isn’t just about comparing a monthly rent check to a mortgage payment — it involves property tax, insurance, maintenance, and how long you plan to stay in one place. Enter your local rent, home price, and expected time horizon, and this rent vs. buy calculator compares the true long-term cost of each path.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare the true net financial cost of renting versus buying over your time horizon.
Net Financial Cost Comparison
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Category | Buying | Renting |
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Buying tends to make more financial sense the longer you plan to stay, since upfront closing costs get spread over more years and you build equity instead of paying rent with nothing to show for it afterward. Renting can come out ahead for shorter time horizons, especially in markets where home prices are high relative to rents.
If buying looks like the better option, our home affordability calculator can help you set a realistic price range, and our home mortgage calculator shows what your monthly payment would actually look like.