Rent vs. Buy Calculator
See which is cheaper over your time horizon once equity and appreciation count.
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How it works
Buying isn’t automatically better than renting — it depends on how long you stay. This weighs every dollar of mortgage, taxes, and upkeep against the equity and appreciation you build, then compares that net cost to renting over the same period.
Frequently asked questions
Why does time in the home matter so much?
Buying has large upfront and transaction costs. The longer you stay, the more appreciation and paid-down principal offset them. Over short horizons, those fixed costs often make renting the cheaper choice.
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