Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the true cost of renting vs buying a home over any time horizon. Accounts for mortgage payments, property tax, maintenance, home appreciation, and investment return on down payment. Free, no sign-up.
How to Use
Enter your rent
Input the monthly rent you currently pay or would pay for a comparable property.
Add home purchase details
Enter the home price, down payment percentage, mortgage interest rate, and loan term in years.
Set ongoing ownership costs
Provide annual property tax, maintenance costs, and expected home appreciation as percentages of property value.
Enter your investment return
Specify the annual return you could earn if you invested the down payment instead of buying.
Set your time horizon
Choose how many years you plan to stay. The calculator shows the breakeven year and total cost comparison.
Features
True Cost of Buying
Includes mortgage principal + interest, property tax, maintenance, and home appreciation — not just the EMI.
Opportunity Cost
Calculates what the down payment would grow to if invested in the market instead, making the renting cost realistic.
Breakeven Year
Shows the exact year at which buying becomes cheaper than renting over the chosen horizon.
Yearly Cost Breakdown
Detailed table of cumulative rent paid vs cumulative cost of ownership year by year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Reading
Practical guides matched to this calculator, its inputs, and the result users need to trust.