HOME BUYING, EQUITY, AND BORROWING

Rent vs. Buy Scenario Calculator

Compare a simplified modeled cash outlay for a purchase loan versus lease payments over the same term.

Review your result

Your result

Ready when you are.

Enter your values and select Calculate. Your result stays on this device.

How it works

Compares modeled purchase cash outlay with rent payments over the entered period.

Assumptions

Does not model appreciation, equity, taxes, insurance, maintenance, selling costs, moving, or opportunity cost.

Use case

rent vs buy calculator: a clear planning check

Compare a simplified modeled cash outlay for a purchase loan versus lease payments over the same term. The stated formula, assumptions, and result limits remain visible so the calculation can be checked in context.

Use a clear rent vs buy calculator scenario with values you can verify before relying on the result.

Build a reliable scenario

How to use and verify your Rent vs. Buy Scenario Calculator result

Rent vs. Buy Scenario Calculator helps you check a specific home & mortgages question with figures that apply to you. Compare a simplified modeled cash outlay for a purchase loan versus lease payments over the same term. Compare a simplified modeled cash outlay for a purchase loan versus lease payments over the same term. The stated formula, assumptions, and result limits remain visible so the calculation can be checked in context. Use a clear rent vs buy calculator scenario with values you can verify before relying on the result. The page keeps the method and limits visible so the result can be understood, compared, and checked instead of treated as an unexplained answer.

Before calculating

Prepare Home purchase price, Down payment, Annual mortgage rate, Comparison period and Monthly rent. Match each input to the document, measurement, or current source you are using. Keep units, dates, currency, and time periods consistent.

What changes the result?

The stated method is: Compares modeled purchase cash outlay with rent payments over the entered period. Change one assumption at a time to see which input drives the result, then compare scenarios on the same basis.

When checking the answer

Does not model appreciation, equity, taxes, insurance, maintenance, selling costs, moving, or opportunity cost. Use this as a comparison prompt, not a housing recommendation.

Quick verification checklist

• Confirm the date and unit of every input.
• Replace defaults with values that match your case.
• Compare the answer with a second scenario.
• Use the official source for regulated or high-impact decisions.

Source and update

Last reviewed: 2026-08-10

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — borrowing and mortgage guidance

Frequently asked questions

Is Rent vs. Buy Scenario Calculator free to use?

Yes. This calculator runs in your browser and does not require an account.

Is the result guaranteed?