Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Modify the values and click Calculate to compare.

This tool models your rent vs. buy numbers — home price, rent, rate, taxes, maintenance, and how long you stay. The break-even table above matters more than any generic advice: in some markets buying wins in four years; in others renting stays cheaper for a decade.

Reading your results

• Break-even year — when cumulative buying cost falls below renting
• Average monthly cost — all-in ownership often runs 30–50% above principal and interest
• Length of stay — agent commissions (~5–6%) on a early sale can erase short-term equity

Calculator vs. guide

Use the fields above for math. For the judgment side — price-to-rent ratios, lifestyle trade-offs, and when "throwing money away on rent" is oversimplified — read our rent vs. buy guide. That article goes deep; this page stays focused on your inputs.

Quick answers

How long should I stay for buying to make sense?

Often five to seven years in moderate markets, but your break-even row above is the real answer.

Does renting always waste money?

No. Rent buys flexibility and avoids transaction costs. Investing the down-payment difference can outperform ownership in high price-to-rent cities.