RentBuyLab

Rent vs Buy Calculator

A free rent-vs-buy calculator that compares the full cost of each path over the years you'd actually stay, not over a 30-year fantasy. Renting counts rent with annual increases. Buying counts the down payment, closing costs, mortgage payments, property tax, insurance, and maintenance — then credits back the equity you'd recover selling at the end (appreciated price minus 7% selling costs minus the remaining loan). Over 7 years the default $400,000 scenario favors buying by $46,398; over 5 years the margin narrows to $15,023.59. The model holds rates and growth constant and skips the itemized mortgage interest deduction — a scenario comparison for your assumptions, not housing advice or a forecast.