Rent vs. Buy Calculator

The real comparison goes beyond monthly payment. This calculator accounts for opportunity cost, appreciation, maintenance, tax benefits, and net wealth over time.

Buying Scenario

Home purchase price ($)

Down payment (%)

Mortgage rate (%)

Property tax rate (%/yr)

US avg ~1.1%/yr · 0.3–2.5% by state

HOA ($/mo)

Home appreciation (%/yr)

Long-run US avg ~3.8%/yr · use 2% to be conservative

Renting Scenario

Monthly rent ($)

Annual rent increase (%)

Typically 3–5%/yr

Investment return on down payment (%)

7% = historical stock real return

Assumptions

Years you plan to stay

Federal tax bracket (%)

Better financial choice after 7 years

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calculating…

Detailed Comparison & Break-Even

Data sources & methodology: Mortgage amortization using standard formula. Property tax applied annually. Maintenance modeled at 1% of home value/yr. Closing costs on purchase (3%) and sale (6%) included. Opportunity cost = down payment invested at stated return. Rent savings invested at same rate. Results are estimates — not financial advice. Disclaimer →

Compare two scenarios

Snapshot your current numbers, change any input, then snapshot again to see the difference side by side.

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Data reference (Australia): CoreLogic dwelling values; capital-city rents ~$600/wk (2025-26) · figures as of 2026-06 · Compiled from official public sources via AI-assisted research, current to 2025-26; latest available data, not individually verified - general information, not advice.. See our methodology for how every figure is sourced and dated.

🔒 Calculations run 100% in your browser — we never see your numbers 📊 Built on primary-source data (see references above) 🔄 Reviewed 2026 · methodology · disclaimer

Better financial choice after 7 years

Detailed Comparison & Break-Even

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