The rent-vs-buy decision is not about monthly payments — it is about total wealth after you factor in equity, opportunity cost, maintenance, taxes, and appreciation. Most online calculators miss half of these variables. This one includes all of them.

Default mortgage rate based on FRED MORTGAGE30US. Home appreciation uses FHFA HPI national average. See our methodology →

Renting

Monthly Rent ($)

Annual Rent Increase (%)

Buying

Home Price ($)

Down Payment (%)

Mortgage Rate (%)

Loan Term

15 years
30 years

Property Tax Rate (%)

Home Insurance ($/year)

HOA ($/month)

Maintenance (% of home value/year)

Assumptions

Expected Home Appreciation (%/year)

Investment Return if Renting (%/year)

Years You Plan to Stay 7

Monthly Rent (Year 1)

Monthly Homeownership (Year 1)

Break-Even Year

Net Wealth Difference

Cumulative Wealth by Year

Buying
Renting

Next Steps

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Rates, limits, and default assumptions as of July 2026. Report an issue.