Rent cash outlay
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Rent vs Buy Break-Even Calculator
Rent net is rent x 12 x years. Buy net is down + monthly housing x 12 x years - estimated equity. This is not Home Affordability, which solves a max price from income ratios.
Page updated 2026-09-14. Official source: CFPB owning a home
Calculator
Calculated Results
Buy cash outlay after equity
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Buy minus rent
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What the Rent vs Buy Break-Even Calculator calculates
Five-year rent cash versus down payment plus buy-side housing minus estimated equity Enter one realistic scenario in the calculator above and read the result together with its labels and assumptions. The page is designed for a quick, repeatable estimate rather than a black-box answer.
This is a browser-side worksheet for financial planning. It does not connect to the named provider, submit a transaction, or create an account on your behalf. Save the inputs if you need an audit trail, then rerun the page when an assumption changes.
Inputs, formula, and assumptions
Use the field labels as the source of truth: enter rates as percentages, amounts in the selected currency, and dates in the format shown. Invalid or incomplete inputs should remain visible so you can correct them before copying a result.
The calculator applies the formula implied by the labels and shows the key output in plain language. Displayed values are rounded for reading; keep the copied inputs and unrounded assumptions when a later calculation needs more precision.
If the result depends on a live rate or policy, compare the value with CFPB owning a home before relying on it.
How to use the result responsibly
For the next step, compare this result with Home Affordability & Max Income Ratio Calculator, Mortgage Payment & Amortization Calculator, Rental Property Cash Flow & Cap Rate Calculator. A second calculator is useful when you need to test a different assumption, not to manufacture false precision.
Results are estimates, not a quote, diagnosis, tax filing, legal opinion, investment recommendation, or guarantee. Check the jurisdiction, provider plan, time period, and rounding rules that apply to your real situation.
Inputs stay in your browser for this page. Do not paste passwords, payment credentials, private keys, or other secrets into any public web tool, even when the page is designed to run locally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the Rent vs Buy Break-Even Calculator calculate?
It estimates five-year rent cash versus down payment plus buy-side housing minus estimated equity from the values you enter. Review the labels and assumptions above the result so you can tell exactly what is included.
Are these live quotes or guaranteed results?
No. The page is an in-browser estimate based on your inputs. Provider pricing, taxes, policies, exchange rates, and other external conditions can change, so confirm the live value before committing money or publishing a decision.
Are my inputs uploaded?
The calculator is designed to run in your browser and does not need an account or a server upload. Avoid entering credentials, payment details, private keys, or other secrets in any public tool.
What should I verify before using the result?
Verify the current CFPB owning a home, your jurisdiction or plan, and any rounding or date rule that applies. The official source link is shown above the calculator.
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Home Affordability & Max Income Ratio Calculator Max purchase price from income, debts, rate, and a chosen housing-ratio cap (28/36 style). -
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Rental Property Cash Flow & Cap Rate Calculator NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash, and monthly cash flow from rent, expenses, and financing. -
HOA Fee Impact Calculator Monthly HOA times years, plus HOA as a share of PITI plus HOA, and annual HOA versus home price.