Costs are the same
$0.00
This is the cost gap over the full time period entered.
Real Estate utility
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the cost of renting and buying across the years you expect to stay in the property.
Total rent cost
$0.00
Monthly rent multiplied by the number of months you plan to stay.
Total buy cost
$0.00
Down payment plus mortgage and ownership costs over the same period.
Home price reference
$0.00
Included so you can compare the buying cost against the property value.
What this simplified comparison includes
This calculator is meant for a fast first-pass comparison. It includes the down payment, monthly mortgage, monthly ownership costs, and rent across the years you expect to stay in the property.
It does not model home appreciation, rent increases, resale proceeds, tax benefits, or investment returns on the down payment. Those factors can change the outcome, so use this page as a starting point rather than a final buy-or-rent verdict.
The rent-vs-buy question is really a time-horizon question
The biggest driver is often not the property itself. It is how long you expect to stay. The shorter the stay, the harder it usually is for buying costs to justify themselves.
Why this calculator keeps the model simple
Many people want a quick answer before they build a full spreadsheet. This page focuses on the main cash outflows so you can see the cost gap fast, then decide whether a deeper model is worth your time.
Use the result as a first screen, not a final life decision
Lifestyle, flexibility, family plans, job stability, and local housing risk all matter alongside the numbers. This calculator is here to clarify the financial side, not replace the rest of the decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy?
It depends on how long you expect to stay, the size of the down payment, your monthly mortgage, the non-mortgage ownership costs, and the rent you would otherwise pay. A short stay can often favour renting, while a longer stay may justify buying.
What costs should be included when comparing rent and buy?
For a simple first comparison, include the down payment, monthly mortgage, and monthly ownership costs on the buy side, then compare them against the monthly rent over the same time period.
Does this calculator include home appreciation?
No. This version is a straightforward cost comparison. It does not model price appreciation, rent increases, resale proceeds, or the investment return you could earn on the down payment.
Why does the number of years matter so much?
The longer you stay, the more the upfront cost of buying can be spread across time. Short stays often make the upfront cash and monthly ownership costs harder to justify.
More real estate tools
All real estate tools →Rental Yield Calculator
YLDCalculate gross yield, net yield, and net operating income from property price, rent, and annual costs.
Cap Rate Calculator
CAPCalculate cap rate and NOI from property value, rent, and annual operating expenses.
Rent Affordability Calculator
RENTEstimate a monthly rent budget from income, debts, utilities, and target housing ratio.
Closing Costs Calculator
CLSEstimate closing costs and total cash needed from purchase price, down payment, and fees.
Price per Square Foot Calculator
PSFCalculate price per square foot or square metre from total price and property area.
Down Payment Calculator
DWNWork out the down payment amount, loan amount, and loan-to-value ratio from a home price and deposit percentage.