Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare the cumulative cost of renting versus buying. This free online financial calculator runs entirely in your browser — no signup, no data sent anywhere.
Inputs
Results
How It Works (Formula & Method)
This calculator takes Monthly Rent ($), Home Price ($), Down Payment ($), Mortgage Rate (%), Mortgage Term (years), and Years You Plan to Stay as input and computes Total Rent Cost, Net Buy Cost, and Difference (rent − buy). The math runs entirely in your browser the moment you change a value — nothing is sent to a server, and your inputs are never stored.
The formula used is the standard financial calculation for this metric. For a full step-by-step derivation with the default values, see the Worked Example section below.
Worked Example
Below is a worked example using the calculator's default values. The same numbers are pre-filled in the form above so you can press Calculate and see the result without typing anything.
Inputs used:
- Monthly Rent ($): 2000
- Home Price ($): 350000
- Down Payment ($): 70000
- Mortgage Rate (%): 6.5
- Mortgage Term (years): 30
- Years You Plan to Stay: 7
With these inputs, the calculator computes the metrics shown in the Results panel. Change any value and press Calculate again to see how the result responds — the live widget and the chart both update instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Rent vs. Buy Calculator compute?
The Rent vs. Buy Calculator takes 6 input values and returns 3 results. Compare the cumulative cost of renting versus buying.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. The Rent vs. Buy Calculator runs entirely in your browser using static JavaScript. Your inputs are never transmitted to CalculatorHive or any third party, and nothing is stored after you close the page.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. Every calculator on CalculatorHive is completely free. There is no signup, no paywall, and no usage limit. The site is supported by display advertising and affiliate partnerships, which are clearly labeled.
Can I rely on this result for tax or financial decisions?
Results are estimates intended for educational use. Tax brackets, interest rates, and program rules change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed CPA, financial advisor, or attorney before acting on the figures.
Reviewed against: IRS publications, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov), and current published market data. Results are estimates for educational use only — not financial, tax, or legal advice.