Rent vs Buy
Compare renting and buying by modeling long-term housing costs and net position. Free online calculator with formulas and step-by-step solutions.
Key formula
housing comparison using rent growth, home equity, and investment opportunity cost
About this tool
Rent-versus-buy decisions are easier when users can compare long-term position instead of only comparing a single rent number with a single mortgage number. This page helps frame housing as a time-horizon and opportunity-cost decision.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the main planning inputs first, such as amount, rate, term, or contribution.
- Check the assumptions behind the result, especially rate, taxes, fees, or timing.
- Use the output as a planning baseline rather than a final legal or lender-approved figure.
- Review the formula steps so you can see exactly how the estimate was constructed.