Rent versus buy calculator
Compare two paths over time.
Look beyond the monthly payment. Compare sale proceeds and invested savings at the end of your chosen holding period.
- Owner equity + invested savings
- $214,891
- Renter invested savings
- $262,966
- Ownership cash spent
- $430,011
- Rent cash spent
- $229,874
Educational estimate only. Actual qualification, costs, and loan terms vary.
How this estimate works
The renter invests the down payment and purchase closing costs. Each side invests any monthly cost advantage at your assumed return. Owner wealth includes sale proceeds after selling costs and mortgage payoff. Taxes and maintenance follow modeled home value; insurance and HOA stay fixed. Rent increases annually. Excludes income taxes, investment taxes, moving costs, rent insurance, and refinancing. Growth and returns are assumptions, not forecasts.
Find your county property tax workflow →Ending wealth by year
Owner equity assumes a sale at the end of each year. Values depend on the growth and return assumptions above.
| Year | Owner equity + savings | Renter investments | Buying advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $88,363 | $130,468 | -$42,105 |
| 2 | $107,446 | $151,388 | -$43,942 |
| 3 | $127,282 | $172,767 | -$45,485 |
| 4 | $147,906 | $194,609 | -$46,703 |
| 5 | $169,356 | $216,920 | -$47,564 |
| 6 | $191,670 | $239,704 | -$48,034 |
| 7 | $214,891 | $262,966 | -$48,076 |