Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Should you buy a home or keep renting? Get a clear, numbers-based answer in 30 seconds — with equity, appreciation, and invest-the-difference built in.
Your numbers
Advanced assumptions
Your result
Break-even year
Year 7
Buying becomes cheaper than renting in year 7.
Buying
$11,289
net cost
Renting
$22,733
net cost
See the year-by-year breakdown
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Tax-aware analysis
The full version accounts for mortgage interest deductions and your state's tax rules, so you see the true after-tax cost of owning vs. renting.
Get the full breakdown
Included with a Lab Access account. Unlock:
- Full amortization schedule
- PMI impact analysis
- Closing cost breakdown
- Downloadable PDF report
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Why this calculator is different
Most rent-vs-buy tools only compare monthly payments. We account for the full picture.
Equity matters
Mortgage principal builds equity — it's not a lost cost. We separate true expenses from equity you recover at sale.
Invest the difference
If renting is cheaper, the renter invests the savings. We project both paths forward year by year.
Tax-aware
The full version inside your dashboard accounts for mortgage interest deductions and your state's tax rules.
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Practical worksheets & checklists
Real tools, not teasers. Enter your email and the PDF downloads instantly — you'll also get one practical money tip every Thursday.