🏠 Buy vs. Rent
Real Estate vs. Renting Calculator
Is buying a home actually cheaper than renting? See the true cost of each option — including equity built, opportunity costs, and your break-even point.
📖 This tool accompanies Chapter 10 of Micro Moves, Macro Gains
Your Numbers
$
3%50%
%
$
% / yr
Results Over 10 Years
Monthly Mortgage (P+I)
$2,065
+ est. tax/ins/maintenance: $867/mo
Total monthly ownership cost: $2,932
True Cost of Buying
$211,105
after equity & appreciation
True Cost of Renting
$191,267
incl. invested savings
Net Equity Built
$264,936
Home value: $537,567 — Remaining loan: $272,631
Break-Even Point
13 years
Buying beats renting after year 13
🏠
Renting may be better if you move in under 13 years
Over 10 years, renting + investing the difference costs ~$19,838 less than buying, given your inputs.
Assumptions: Property tax 1.1%/yr · Insurance 0.5%/yr · Maintenance 1%/yr · Closing costs 3% · Selling costs 6% · Rent inflation 3%/yr · Renter invests savings at 7%/yr
📖 Chapter 10 of Micro Moves, Macro Gains covers the full buy-vs-rent decision framework — including how to factor in lifestyle, taxes, and local market cycles.
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