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
What you'll enter
- Monthly rent, expected rent increases, and renters insurance
- Home price, down payment, interest rate, loan term, and closing costs
- Property taxes, home insurance, HOA dues, and annual repairs, plus PMI if you put less than 20% down
- Home appreciation, investment return, and how long you plan to stay
When to use it
- Deciding whether to buy now or keep renting
- Checking how long you need to stay for buying to come out ahead
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.
Read the guide
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