Decision calculator
Compare the long-term cost of renting with the net cost of owning a home after mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, appreciation, equity, and selling costs.
Adjust the assumptions to compare renting and buying paths.
Rent-vs-buy results are educational estimates only.
Rent vs. buy guide
This rent vs. buy calculator compares the long-term cost of renting with the net cost of owning a home. It accounts for mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, appreciation, equity, rent increases, and selling costs.
Updated May 13, 2026. Educational estimate only.
Buying can build equity, but ownership also comes with transaction costs, repairs, maintenance, taxes, and selling costs. Renting can be cheaper over shorter periods or when flexibility is valuable.
Rent vs. buy results are highly sensitive to home appreciation, rent growth, mortgage rates, investment returns, taxes, maintenance, and how long you stay in the home.
No. Buying often works better over longer periods, but renting can make more sense when flexibility, lower upfront cost, or short time horizon matters.
Time in the home is one of the biggest drivers because buying and selling have large transaction costs.
Yes, the calculator compares ownership after considering equity, selling costs, and other ownership assumptions supported by the page.
Related guide: How much house can you afford?.
