Rent vs Buy Calculator

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare renting and buying over multiple years using home equity, transaction costs and invested cash-flow differences.

MALAMALAMA I TE TALI

E fika pefea te mea tenei?

Both scenarios use the same housing budget. The lower-cost scenario invests the monthly difference at month-end. The renter initially invests the down payment plus buying costs. Home sale costs are deducted at each year-end comparison. Returns and growth rates are assumptions, not guarantees. Tax deductions, tax on investment gains and automatic PMI are excluded; include estimated insurance costs in annual ownership costs.

End-of-year net wealth comparisonOwner wealth = net sale proceeds − remaining mortgage + invested savings; renter wealth = invested upfront cash + invested monthly savings

Se fakaakoakoga aoga

Compare a 400,000 home, 80,000 down payment and 2,200 monthly rent over 10 years. Adjust growth and investment assumptions to test sensitivity.

Ikuga ne fika

Togi faleScenarioIkuga ne fika
320,0001$103,474.27
400,0002$59,640.04
480,0003$15,805.81

Manatu fakavae, fakamatala mo mea ‵se masani

Manatu fakavae o te fika

  • Both scenarios have the same monthly housing budget and invest any savings at month-end.
  • The renter invests the avoided down payment and buying costs at the start.
  • Annual growth and return assumptions are constant; tax benefits, investment taxes and automatic PMI are excluded.

Auala ke fakamatala te ikuga

  • Each year compares renter investments with owner equity after selling costs plus owner investments.
  • Positive buying-minus-renting wealth favors buying under the selected assumptions.
  • The first favorable sampled year is not a guarantee that buying remains ahead.

Mea ‵se masani ke ‵kalo kea‵tea

  • Comparing mortgage payments alone with rent.
  • Treating assumed home appreciation or investment returns as guaranteed.
  • Omitting maintenance, insurance or transaction costs.