Rent vs. buy calculator
Compare cumulative rent with ownership cash paid minus net sale equity.
Your scenario
Method and exclusions
Compare cumulative rent with ownership cash paid minus net sale equity. Mortgage payments occur monthly; rent and home value change annually. Ownership includes down payment, closing costs, property tax, maintenance and entered insurance/HOA/mortgage insurance. Excludes investment opportunity returns, tax effects, renter insurance, moving costs and rate resets. Negative ownership cost indicates modeled sale proceeds exceed cash paid; it is not a guaranteed profit.
Supporting guidance: CFPB financial education (new tab). Guidance checked 28 October 2026; the arithmetic model remains our stated approximation.
How to use the result
Run a baseline, then change one assumption at a time. Compare the total cost or balance as well as the monthly amount. Keep excluded taxes, fees and product features on a separate checklist. Confirm decisions against actual provider documents.