🏠 Rent vs Buy Decision Calculator
Calculate whether buying a home or renting is mathematically more advantageous over your expected stay duration, accounting for mortgage amortization, property tax, and equity appreciation.
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Financial Winner
Buying Wins
+$48,200 Net Wealth Advantage Over 7 Years
🏠 Monthly Mortgage (P&I + Tax + Ins)$2,780/mo
🏢 Monthly Rent Payment$2,300/mo
📈 Home Equity Built in 7 Years+$92,400
💸 Total 7-Year Cost to Rent$214,200
⚖️ Breakeven Horizon~4.2 Years
The True Financial Comparison of Renting vs. Buying
While rent is often viewed as "throwing money away," homeownership incurs significant unrecoverable costs: mortgage interest, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, HOA fees, and routine maintenance (averaging 1% of home value annually). Buying typically becomes financially superior after 4 to 6 years of continuous ownership as amortization builds principal equity.