Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare monthly renting costs with estimated mortgage, tax, and insurance costs for buying.

Mortgage Payment

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Monthly Cost to Buy

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Monthly Rent

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Monthly Difference

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5-Year Difference

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Guide

How it works

Use this calculator to compare renting with buying a home.

What this calculator does

The rent vs buy calculator compares monthly rent with estimated monthly ownership cost from mortgage, tax, and insurance assumptions.

Rent vs Buy Formula

Monthly Difference = Monthly Cost to Buy - Monthly Rent

Example calculation

If rent is 2,200 and estimated buying cost is 2,800, buying costs 600 more per month before other ownership factors.

When to use this calculator

  • deciding whether to rent or buy
  • comparing monthly housing costs
  • testing mortgage rates and down payments
  • estimating five-year cost differences

FAQs

Does this include appreciation?

No. This version focuses on monthly cash flow.

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