About this calculator
Renting and owning have different total costs that are invisible at the monthly level. This calculator models both paths over time — factoring in appreciation, opportunity cost of the down payment, tax benefits, and maintenance — and shows you the crossover point where owning starts to win.
What it shows you
- Total cost of renting vs. owning over 5, 10, 20 years
- Net wealth comparison on a single chart
- Break-even year — when buying overtakes renting financially
- Home appreciation and equity accumulation
- Opportunity cost of capital deployed as a down payment
Why it matters
"Should I rent or buy?" is the most consequential personal finance question most people ever face. A clear, honest answer — not a sales pitch — is what builds lasting advisor-client relationships.