Formula
Net cost of buying = down payment + mortgage payments + transaction and ownership costs − ending home equity; renting cost = monthly rent × months.
Housing & Mortgages · Tool 101 of 200,000
Buy vs Rent Calculator
Enter your values for a transparent, reproducible buy vs rent calculator, with the formula and scope shown.
LiveScenario estimateLocal calculationUS · USD
Your inputs
Enter real numbers
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Live result
Lower cash cost over 10 years
Rent
The difference under the current assumptions is about $49,574.21.
- Net cash cost of buying
- $769,574.21
- Cumulative rent
- $720,000.00
- Estimated monthly payment
- $7,472.79
- Home equity at the end
- $1,164,660.23
Reproducible, not guessed
How was this calculated?
Scope
The base model assumes unchanged home prices and rent, with annual ownership costs estimated at 1% of the home price. Use it for an initial comparison, not as a complete asset model.
Model context
localeen-UScountryUScurrencyUSDtimezoneAmerica/New_Yorkunit_systemimperialrules_versionus-2026.08source_languageen-US
Results are for first-pass estimates and scenario comparison. Important tax, employment, health and investment decisions should be verified against local official guidance or a qualified professional.