Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare renting and buying over time using ownership costs, rent growth, equity, and investment assumptions.
Decision help
Make a rent-versus-buy decision around your horizon
Compare expected time in the home, upfront costs, maintenance, taxes, insurance, flexibility, and the risk of selling sooner than planned.
How long might you stay?
Short stays can make transaction costs more important; a longer horizon may make ownership costs easier to evaluate.
Do you have reserves after closing?
Keep cash for repairs, vacancies or moves, deductibles, and income changes rather than using every dollar for the purchase.
What flexibility do you need?
Renting can simplify relocation; buying adds control but also responsibility for the property and sale process.
Next step: Compare a realistic rent scenario with an ownership scenario that includes all recurring and one-time costs.