Should I rent or buy?
Compare the true cost of owning against renting over the years you plan to stay.
Updated October 12, 2026 · fact-checked against official sources
Hover the chart for year-by-year numbers. Net cost = everything paid minus what you walk away with (home equity after selling, or investment gains).
Common questions
How long do I need to stay for buying to win?
It depends on prices, rent and rates, but buying usually needs several years to recover closing costs and selling costs. The calculator finds the break-even year for your numbers.
What does “opportunity cost” mean here?
Money spent on a down payment and closing costs could have been invested instead. The calculator grows that money at your expected investment return for the renting scenario.
Initial version; re-verified in the October 2026 fact-check pass.
Sources
- Buying a house: costs to consider · CFPB (accessed October 12, 2026)
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency or a professional before you act.