Financial Comparison Tool

Rent vs. Buy Calculator

Compare the true cost of renting versus buying over time. Includes equity buildup, opportunity cost of your down payment, and a house hacking scenario for investors.

Buy Scenario

$
%

$60,000

%
%

$3,300/yr

$
%

% of home value/yr

%

Annual home value growth

Rent Scenario

$
%

National avg: 3-5%

%

S&P 500 avg: 8-10%

House Hack Offset

House hacking lets you live in the property while renting out a portion to offset costs. Learn more

Renting wins by $118,796

Over 15 years with these assumptions

Equity Built

$326,696

Home value: $502,605

Renter's Portfolio

$331,834

Invested down payment + savings

No Break-Even

N/A

Renting stays ahead for 15 years

Total Cost Comparison

Total Cost of Buying (15yr)

$515,395

Monthly mortgage: $1,557

Total Cost of Renting (15yr)

$401,737

Starting rent: $1,800/mo

Opportunity cost of down payment: $69,000 invested at 8% would grow to $218,880 in 15 years.

Net Wealth Position Over Time

Equity or portfolio value minus cumulative costs paid

Year 1
-$23,322
$59,123
Year 5
-$77,919
$19,399
Year 10
-$138,760
-$28,656
Year 15
-$188,699
-$69,903
Buy (equity - costs)
Rent (portfolio - costs)

Ready to run the numbers on a real property?

Use our Rental Property Proforma to get a full deal analysis with market-specific data.

Get deal analysis tips every Tuesday

The Climb newsletter includes a real deal breakdown with full numbers every week.