How to use the Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Estimate buying costs less from home price, down payment, interest rate with the Rent vs. Buy Calculator. It includes Rent vs. Buy, Break-even Staying Length workflows, so choose the one that matches the values you actually know. Use it as a planning baseline, then compare the estimate with current rates, fees, taxes, and provider terms.
Step by step
- For the Rent vs. Buy example, select Rent vs. Buy and enter home price, down payment, interest rate, loan term, buying closing costs, and the remaining settings listed in the worked example. Keep each value in the unit displayed beside its field.
- Review the selected Rent vs. Buy workflow and inputs, then read buying costs less in the result panel.
- Change one Rent vs. Buy assumption at a time to compare scenarios. Use Reset to restore this tool's worked example values.
How the calculation works
Compares mortgage and ownership cash costs, remaining equity, sale costs, rent escalation, and the investment opportunity cost of upfront cash. Escalates ownership costs and includes an estimated marginal-tax benefit. Adds a monthly and years 1–14 comparison projection.
Worked example
To reproduce the Rent vs. Buy worked example, reset the calculator. Select the Rent vs. Buy workflow. Use home price $400,000; down payment $80,000; interest rate 6 %; loan term 30; buying closing costs 3 %; property tax 1.2 %; home insurance 1,800 $/year; hoa fee 0 $/month; maintenance cost 1 %; home value appreciation 3 %; selling closing costs 6 %; monthly rental fee $2,200; rental fee increase 3 %; renter's insurance 240 $/year; security deposit $2,200; upfront cost $0; average investment return 6 %; staying length 7; property tax increase 2 %; cost or insurance increase 2 %; marginal federal tax rate 24 %; marginal state tax rate 5 %; tax filing status Single. The result is buying costs less of $105,367.47. 7-year net cost difference after estimated equity, sale costs, rent increases, and investment return. Review the displayed units before comparing the result.
Understanding the result
The Rent vs. Buy reports buying costs less. Use it as a planning baseline, then compare the estimate with current rates, fees, taxes, and provider terms. Planning estimate only. Rates, fees, taxes, eligibility rules, timing, and provider terms can change the result.
How to check the answer
Check the Rent vs. Buy result by entering the same home price, down payment, interest rate in an independent statement, lender, provider, or official tool. Change one input and confirm that buying costs less moves in the direction implied by Compares mortgage and ownership cash costs, remaining equity, sale costs, rent escalation, and the investment opportunity cost of upfront cash. Escalates ownership costs and includes an estimated marginal-tax benefit. Adds a monthly and years 1–14 comparison projection.
Common questions
What does the Rent vs. Buy calculate?
Estimate buying costs less from home price, down payment, interest rate with the Rent vs. Buy Calculator.
Which inputs does the Rent vs. Buy example use?
The worked example uses home price, down payment, interest rate, loan term, buying closing costs, and the remaining settings listed in the worked example in the Rent vs. Buy workflow. Other workflows can show different fields. Keep the chosen workflow and units with the result when comparing calculations.
Is the Rent vs. Buy result exact?
Planning estimate only. Rates, fees, taxes, eligibility rules, timing, and provider terms can change the result. Recheck home price, down payment, interest rate and use buying costs less only for a decision where that level of precision is appropriate.