United States · 2026 planning tool
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare projected renter investments with homeowner equity over your expected stay.
Official sources and scope
Rules and source methodology reviewed September 11, 2026.
How rent and buy are compared
The model amortizes the mortgage, projects home value and selling costs, and compares net homeowner equity with a renter portfolio. It invests the upfront cash and each month's cost difference for the lower-cost option so both paths use the same housing budget.
Future appreciation, rent increases, investment returns and repairs are uncertain. CFPB recommends testing scenarios because assumptions materially affect the result.