Buy vs. Rent Calculator
FinanceCompare the total cost of buying a home versus renting over a set number of years.
Total Cost of Buying
Down payment + total mortgage payments + property tax over the time horizon (excludes maintenance, insurance, and home appreciation).
Total Cost of Renting
$184,800
Total rent paid over the same time horizon, assuming flat rent (no annual increases).
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Odeh Ahwal0people find this calculator helpful
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Creators
Odeh Ahwal0people find this calculator helpful
Views
Helpful
Saved
Embeds
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this account for home appreciation?
No, this simplified comparison focuses on direct cash outflows (down payment, mortgage payments, property tax) and does not factor in home value appreciation, which historically favors buying over long time horizons.
What costs are not included?
This calculator excludes homeowners insurance, maintenance costs, HOA fees, closing costs, and rent increases over time — all of which can meaningfully shift the comparison in either direction.
What time horizon makes buying worth it?
Buying generally becomes more favorable the longer you stay in a home, since upfront costs (down payment, closing costs) are spread over more years and built-up equity grows. Most financial advisors suggest 5+ years as a rough breakeven point.
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