Rent vs. Buy Calculator

If you rented and invested your down payment instead, who comes out ahead?

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Rent comparison
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Yearly return on the cash you'd otherwise put toward a down payment. Higher return → renting looks better.

What's behind these numbers

These defaults are typical U.S. averages — change any that don't fit your situation.

Home value growthHow much the home gains in value each year
%
Rent increasesHow much your rent goes up each year
%
Maintenance & repairsYearly upkeep, as a share of home value
%
Cost to buyOne-time closing costs when you purchase
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Cost to sellAgent & closing fees when you sell later
%
The verdict
Net worth if you buy Net worth if you rent Break-even
Net worth — buying
equity after selling costs
Net worth — renting
invested savings