What it means
This compares roughly where your money ends up if you buy a home or keep renting over several years.
Comparing
Buy vs rent calculator
Where your money ends up if you buy or keep renting over time.
Why it matters
Buying builds ownership over time. Renting can leave cash free to save or invest. The better path depends on your numbers.
When to use it
Use it when you are torn between buying and renting, and you can make honest guesses about growth, rent rises and how long you will stay.
How to read the result
Look for the break-even year and the gap at the end. It is a model from your assumptions, not a life decision on its own.
Your figures
More assumptions
Maintenance, insurance and similar, beyond the mortgage.
Methodology
Rules checked against published sources as of 2025-04-01.
- Buy path tracks mortgage balance, property growth and selling costs.
- Rent path invests the deposit and buying costs, plus any monthly surplus versus buying, at your assumed investment return.
- Break-even is the first year buy net worth meets or exceeds rent net worth.
Related calculators
Related property tools
Pair the numbers with area intelligence for a postcode.
FAQs
Should I buy or rent based on this?
This is a numbers model from your assumptions. Location, flexibility and risk matter too. It is not personal financial advice.