Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the true cost of renting vs buying over a chosen time horizon — factoring in the full cost of owning (PITI + MI + maintenance), upfront cash, home appreciation, and principal paid down. The result is an honest break-even year.
Inputs here carry over to the other calculators when you switch.
1. Buying Details
The basics of the home and the mortgage.
2. Cost of Ownership
The recurring and one-time costs of holding the home.
3. Renting & Market
What rent costs today, and what to expect over time.
Time horizon: how many years to compare?
Defaults to 5 years. Try different values to see when buying breaks even.
years
Monthly Cost Comparison
What you’d pay each month today.
If You Buy (Total Monthly)
$0
Current Rent (Today)
$0
Grows annually with inflation
Over Your 5-Year Horizon
Cumulative cost on each side, with equity built factored in.
Total Rent Paid
$0
Net Cost of Buying
$0
Out-of-pocket minus home equity
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Yr | Cum. Rent | Cum. Buy (Cash Out) | Home Equity | Net Buy Cost |
|---|
Break-even year highlighted. Net Buy Cost = cumulative cash out minus home equity (appreciation + principal paid down).
Disclaimer: Estimates only, not a commitment to lend. Assumes flat tax/insurance amounts. PMI assumes a 740+ credit score on conventional loans. Does not include opportunity cost on the down payment.