Rent vs. Buy

Should You Even Buy? Let the Math Answer.

This model gives renting a fair fight: it credits the investment return your down payment could earn if you didn't buy. If buying still wins on your timeline, you'll know it's real.

Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Compares the true cost of renting versus buying over time, accounting for appreciation, tax, insurance, maintenance, selling costs, and the investment return you could earn by keeping your down payment in the market.

If You Buy

Home Price

Down Payment (%)

Interest Rate (%)

Loan Term

Prop Tax (% / yr)

Insurance ($/yr)

HOA ($/mo)

Maintenance (% / yr)

Appreciation (% / yr)

Selling Costs (%)

If You Rent

Monthly Rent

Rent Increase (% / yr)

Investment Return on Down Payment (% / yr)

If you rent, your down payment and closing cost money stays invested. This is the return you assume it earns.

Your Time Horizon

After 7 Years

Net Cost to Rent

$93,032

Net Cost to Buy

$204,484

Break-Even

Year 16

Renting looks better over your 7-year horizon by $111,452.

Net cost assumes you sell the home at year 7 and compares total out-of-pocket minus sale proceeds (for buying) against total rent paid minus investment growth of your down payment (for renting). Closing costs at purchase are estimated at 3% of the home price.

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Payment Calculator

Full monthly payment with taxes, insurance, HOA, and PMI.

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Closing Costs

Florida doc stamps, title insurance, and prepaid estimates.

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