Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Make the smartest financial decision with our comprehensive analysis tool. Compare renting vs buying with advanced projections, tax benefits, and opportunity cost calculations.

How to Use This Calculator

Start with Scenarios: Choose a scenario (Standard, Conservative, or Optimistic) to pre-fill key market assumptions. You can customize any value afterwards.
Enter Basic Inputs: Fill in the details for the home you're considering and your current rental situation. Use the sliders for quick adjustments.
Refine with Advanced Settings: Use the tabs (Advanced, Tax, Lifestyle) to input more detailed information for a more accurate comparison.
Calculate & Analyze: Click the "Calculate & Compare" button to see your results.
Review the Results: Check the summary, detailed charts, and comparison table to understand the financial implications of buying versus renting over time.

General Settings i Core assumptions that affect both buying and renting scenarios

Analysis Period (Years)

Expected Investment Return (%)

Inflation Rate (%)

Home Purchase Details i Details about the home you're considering purchasing

Home Price

Down Payment (%)

$128,000

Mortgage Interest Rate (%)

Property Tax Rate

Rental Details i Information about your rental alternative

Monthly Rent

Annual Rent Increase (%)

Renter's Insurance

Homeownership Costs

Annual Maintenance

HOA Fees (Monthly)

Home Insurance (Annual)

Utilities Difference (Monthly)

PMI Rate (if < 20% down)

Market Assumptions

Home Appreciation Rate

Closing Costs

Selling Costs

Note: Tax benefits depend on your specific situation. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.

Tax Settings

Marginal Tax Rate

Annual Income

State Tax Rate

Mortgage interest and property taxes can be deductible. This calculator assumes you'll itemize deductions and provides an estimate of your tax savings.

Lifestyle & Other Factors

Renting Lifestyle Premium (Monthly)

Buying Lifestyle Premium (Monthly)

These are non-monetary factors, converted to a monthly dollar value, to help you account for your personal preferences beyond pure financials.

Personal Preferences & Lifestyle

These factors don't have direct financial impact but are important for your decision.

Stability & Flexibility

Job Stability

Family Plans

DIY Interest

Location & Community

Neighborhood Quality

School District

Community Ties

Lifestyle Score

Based on your lifestyle factors: Neutral between buying and renting

Join The Studio

Want to save your calculations? Create a free account to save your analysis, track changes over time, and export personalized PDF reports.

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Comprehensive Analysis Results

Monthly Payment Difference

Home Equity After 30 Years

Investment Portfolio Value

If renting and investing

Net Worth Difference

Total Cost to Buy

Total Cost to Rent

Break-Even Point

Net Worth Over Time

Compares total assets: home equity (buying) vs. investment portfolio (renting)

Monthly Cash Flow Comparison

Monthly out-of-pocket expenses for each option over time

Cumulative Total Costs

Total money spent over time (not including asset appreciation)

Break-Even Analysis

When buying becomes financially advantageous (if applicable)

Homeownership Cost Breakdown (Year 1)

Rental Cost Breakdown (Year 1)

Sensitivity Analysis

How changes in key variables affect the buy vs. rent decision

Detailed Financial Comparison

Metric	Buying	Renting	Difference

Next Steps

Download Your Report

Get a comprehensive PDF report with your personalized analysis, charts, and recommendations.

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