Many products on this page are from partners who compensate us. This doesn't influence our ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Updated Apr 2026
Compare the total cost of renting versus buying a home over time, including mortgage payments, property taxes, appreciation, and rent increases.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
$
%
$
%
%
years
$
$
%
years
Recommendation
Buy
Total rent cost
$206,350
Total buy cost
$348,375
Home equity
$232,998
Buy net cost
$115,377
How to use this calculator
Enter your numbers above and the calculator will update in real time. Adjust the inputs to see how different scenarios affect the results.
Why this matters
Understanding the math behind your financial decisions helps you make better choices. This calculator shows you the numbers so you can plan with confidence.
Other calculators
Compound Interest Calculator
See how compound interest grows your money.
Investment Growth Calculator
Project your portfolio with regular contributions.
Retirement Calculator
Estimate your retirement balance by age.
mortgage-calculator
debt-payoff-calculator
savings-goal-calculator
net-worth-calculator
401k-calculator
Frequently asked questions
JH
Written by
Juan Hurtado
Editor-in-chief, 10+ years in finance
Updated Apr 2026