Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare owner net cost and renter net cost across a chosen time horizon with transparent assumptions.
Configure your scenario
Compare long-run cost of renting vs buying over your time horizon.
$141,428
$164,961
$23,533
Buying ahead
Detailed estimate
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Rent vs Buy - quick answers
Why can results change drastically?+
Small changes in growth, maintenance, rent, and time horizon can materially shift buy vs rent outcomes.
Is this exact investment advice?+
No. It is a scenario model to compare assumptions, not guaranteed return advice.
Official references
Sources & Act Reference
Rent-vs-buy model references
Owner side
Owner cost combines mortgage and property carrying costs, then offsets future equity.
Renter side
Renter cost uses rent payments and opportunity return on down payment capital.
Rule Trace
Applied rule and official references
Applied rule: owner net cost = cash outflow - equity; renter net cost = rent outflow - invested down payment growth
Official quick links
Compliance checklist
Stress-test results with optimistic, base, and conservative assumptions before decisions.
Smart Insight
Buying is ahead by about $23,533 over 7 years in this scenario.
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Property tax calculator
Use this as the anchor for home-cost comparisons and local tax checks.
Mortgage + property tax
Layer financing and tax together before comparing purchase options.
Rent vs buy
Turn the property result into a real housing decision path.