Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the cumulative cost of renting versus buying a home over several years, with rent growth, mortgage payments and ownership costs, and a clear verdict.
Cumulative cost by year
| Year | Rent (cumulative) | Buy (cumulative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,600 | $97,237 |
| 2 | $43,848 | $124,475 |
| 3 | $66,763 | $151,712 |
| 4 | $90,366 | $178,950 |
| 5 | $114,677 | $206,187 |
| 6 | $139,718 | $233,425 |
| 7 | $165,509 | $260,662 |
A simplified cash comparison. It excludes home appreciation, equity, selling costs, tax effects and any return on investing the deposit. Estimates only, not financial advice.
What is the Rent vs Buy Calculator?
The ByteTools Rent vs Buy Calculator compares the total cost of renting a home against buying one over a period you choose.
- Cumulative renting cost with adjustable annual rent growth
- Buying cost from mortgage payments plus yearly ownership costs
- Plain verdict on which is cheaper over your horizon
- Year-by-year table showing where the costs cross over
- Transparent, adjustable assumptions you fully control
- Private, in-browser math; estimates only, not advice
How to use the Rent vs Buy Calculator
- 1
Select your currency and enter your current monthly rent and its annual growth rate.
- 2
Enter the home price, down payment, mortgage rate and term.
- 3
Add yearly ownership costs such as tax, insurance and maintenance.
- 4
Set the number of years to compare over.
- 5
Read the cumulative rent and buy costs, the verdict and the year-by-year table.
About the Rent vs Buy Calculator
The ByteTools Rent vs Buy Calculator compares the total cost of renting a home against buying one over a period you choose. Enter your monthly rent with an annual growth rate on one side, and the home price, down payment, mortgage rate and yearly ownership costs on the other, and it tallies the cumulative cost of each path.
It is designed for renters weighing a first purchase and owners rethinking their situation. A simple verdict shows which option costs less over the horizon you set, with a year-by-year table so you can see where the lines cross.
This is a transparent, adjustable estimate rather than a full financial model — it does not price home appreciation, tax effects or investment of the deposit. Everything runs in your browser with nothing uploaded, and the results are for planning, not advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a home?
It depends on prices, rent, interest rates and how long you stay. Buying has high upfront costs but builds toward ownership, while renting stays flexible but rises over time. This calculator compares the cumulative cash cost of each over the years you choose so you can see which is lower for your situation.
What costs does the buy side include?
The buy side adds up your mortgage payments plus the yearly ownership costs you enter, such as property tax, insurance and maintenance. The down payment is counted as an upfront cost. It does not model home price appreciation or the equity you build, so treat it as a cash-outflow comparison.
How is rent growth handled?
Your monthly rent is increased by the annual growth rate you set at the start of each year, then summed across the horizon. This reflects how rent typically rises over time, which is why long stays often tilt the comparison toward buying.
What does this calculator leave out?
It is a simplified cash comparison, so it excludes home appreciation, selling costs, tax deductions, and any return you might earn by investing the down payment instead. For a big decision, use it as a starting point alongside professional advice.
Are my numbers private?
Yes. All calculations happen in your browser and nothing is uploaded or stored, so your rent, price and income assumptions never leave your device.
Guides for Rent vs Buy Calculator
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