Rent vs Buy Calculator

Rent against the true monthly cost of owning — mortgage, tax, insurance and HOA.

FREE TOOL · WORKS OFFLINE · NO SIGN-UP

Results update instantly as you type.

Difference per month
$0
Monthly buying cost
$0
Monthly rent
$0
Mortgage payment only
$0

How to Use This Rent vs Buy Calculator

  1. 1.Enter your rent. What you pay each month now, or what a similar place would rent for.
  2. 2.Enter the home price and down payment. The loan is the price minus the down payment.
  3. 3.Set the rate and term. These decide the mortgage part of the monthly cost.
  4. 4.Add tax, insurance and HOA. These are real monthly costs of owning that renters never see separately.
  5. 5.Read the difference. Positive means buying costs more per month than renting; negative means buying is cheaper month to month.

FAQ

With the default numbers, is buying or renting cheaper per month?

With the default numbers, a $350,000 home with 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years plus $450 of tax, insurance and HOA costs $2,219.79 per month, which is $419.79 more than $1,800 rent.

Does this calculator count the equity I build by buying?

No. This calculator compares monthly cost only: the mortgage payment plus tax, insurance and HOA against rent. It does not count equity you build, home price growth, or investment returns on a down payment.

Why is tax, insurance and HOA a separate input?

Because the mortgage payment alone understates owning. Property tax, home insurance and HOA dues are monthly costs too, and leaving them out makes buying look cheaper than it really is.

Is this rent vs buy calculator free?

Yes — 100% free, no sign-up, no limits. Everything runs in your browser; none of your numbers are uploaded or saved.

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