Compare the monthly cost of renting against the true monthly cost of owning — mortgage, taxes, insurance, and upkeep — to see which wins.
Simplified monthly-cost comparison. It doesn't model home appreciation, equity build-up, rent increases, tax deductions, or opportunity cost of the down payment — all of which shift the long-run picture. General information, not advice.
Rent is your all-in monthly housing cost. Owning is more than the mortgage — property taxes, insurance, and maintenance typically add 2–3% of the home's value per year. This tool compares those monthly costs head to head.
Buying also builds equity and can appreciate, while a down payment could otherwise be invested — longer-term factors this quick comparison intentionally leaves out so the monthly cash-flow picture is clear.
Not necessarily. If you move within a few years, transaction costs (5–10% to buy and sell) often outweigh the equity you build. The longer you stay, the more buying tends to favor you.
Maintenance. Roofs, HVAC, and repairs are easy to forget but real — budgeting ~1% of the home's value per year for upkeep keeps you from being surprised.
Related: home affordability calculator · down payment calculator · mortgage payment calculator · all free calculators.
More free mortgage & home buying tools — no signup, works on any device.
Yes. The Rent vs. Buy Calculator is completely free, runs in your browser, and never asks for a signup, email, or download. Enter your numbers and the result updates instantly.
It uses standard formulas and recalculates the moment you change a value, so the math is exact for the inputs you enter. Treat the result as a reliable planning estimate; for decisions with legal or tax consequences, confirm the figures with a qualified professional.
Yes. The calculator is mobile-friendly and works on any phone, tablet, or computer — there is no app to install and nothing to save.
Yes. Scroll to “Add this free calculator to your site” above and copy the embed snippet to place the live calculator on your blog or website for free.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Free to use, no signup — Rent vs. Buy Calculator by ToolWise Digital.
Copy the snippet to embed the live calculator on your blog or website — free for any site. The small “Calculator by ToolWise Digital” credit line keeps it free; you're welcome to remove it, but we appreciate you leaving it.
Ready-made Google Sheets & Excel trackers for money, taxes, and small business — each with a free phone version.
Browse the shop →Subscribe and we'll email you our Simple Monthly Budget (Google Sheets & Excel, plus a phone version) — free. Then the occasional short note on pricing, bookkeeping, and the money side of a small business. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.