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Buy vs. Rent Calculator
Understand buying vs renting. Make your own decisions. Take control of your future.
Compare 30-year wealth outcomes — equity growth vs. investing the difference. No fluff, just numbers.
Buying costs
Renting costs
How this is calculated
We project 30 years of wealth for buying (home equity, net of costs) vs. renting (investing the money you’d have spent on owning) and compare the outcomes.
The steps
- Buying: build equity as the mortgage amortizes and the home appreciates, net of taxes, insurance, maintenance, and selling costs.
- Renting: invest the down payment and any monthly cost difference at your expected return.
- Compare the two wealth paths over the horizon to find the crossover point.
Assumptions
- Home appreciation, rent growth, and investment return you enter.
- Includes ownership costs like maintenance and transaction costs.
Good to know
- Outcomes are highly sensitive to appreciation and how long you stay.
Related resources
Educational disclaimer: All content on WealthSerene.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Projections and calculations are illustrative — actual results will vary based on market conditions, your specific situation, and many factors outside this tool’s scope. Always consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation. View full disclosures →