Calculate, compare, understand, decide

Rent vs Buy Home Calculator

Compare renting and buying over the same period with equal cash, including loan payments, purchase and selling costs, upkeep, rent growth and investing the difference.

Smart result

Your estimate will appear here

—based on your details

Change any editable assumption, calculate, then review the steps, assumptions and limitations before deciding.

How this estimate works

A month-by-month simulation gives both households the same cash. The buyer pays the down payment, purchase costs, EMIs and ownership costs; the renter invests that upfront money and, each month, whoever spends less invests the difference. At the end the buyer owns the home minus selling costs and loan balance, plus investments.

Formula

Buyer net worth = home value × (1 − selling %) − loan balance + buyer investments
Renter net worth = invested upfront cash and monthly differences + refundable deposit
Monthly investment return = (1 + yearly return)^(1/12) − 1

Limitations

Home growth, rent growth and returns are scenarios, not forecasts.
Tax deductions, capital gains tax and rental income are not modelled.
Moving costs and lifestyle factors are not priced.

Data used

No official dataset is used. Every rate, price and premium is entered by you or is a labelled, editable assumption.

Methodology Data sources My Decision Report

Home affordabilityEstimate an illustrative home budget, loan, EMI, upfront cash and remaining monthly cash flow from your household finances and editable planning limits.Stamp duty & registrationEstimate stamp duty, registration and other purchase charges from the rates you confirm for your state, with guidance-value and fee-cap handling.Home loan EMICalculate home loan EMI, total interest and total payments with a year-by-year reducing-balance amortization schedule.Home maintenance costBudget monthly, yearly and multiyear home upkeep from society charges, utilities, property tax, repairs and replacement reserves you can see and edit.

Frequently asked questions

Why are EMIs not simply added to the cost of buying?+

Part of each EMI repays principal and becomes home equity. The simulation counts the cash paid and the equity owned at the end separately, so neither is double-counted.

Why can the result flip?+

Small changes in home growth or investment return compound over years. Check the sensitivity table before relying on one answer.

How accurate is this rent vs buy comparison?+

It will provide an indicative estimate based on your inputs and the stated assumptions. Actual results can vary by location, equipment, tariff, and usage.

Can I use the result to make a purchase?+

Use it as a starting point, then confirm current prices, specifications, eligibility, and site requirements with a qualified provider.