🔑 Rent vs Buy
Total cost comparison over any time period
About this calculator
Renting and buying each have hidden costs, and this calculator puts them side by side. Enter monthly rent, home price, down payment, mortgage rate, amortization, property tax, maintenance, and how long you plan to stay. It compares total out-of-pocket costs and estimates the equity you would build as an owner.
The logic adds up every cost of each path — rent plus renter's insurance versus mortgage payments, property tax, maintenance, insurance, and buying/selling fees — then subtracts the principal paid down and any appreciation. The longer you stay, the more buying usually wins because fixed purchase costs spread out.
Tip: Canadians: remember land transfer tax, CMHC insurance if your down payment is under 20 percent, and selling costs of 4 to 5 percent — short stays rarely favour buying.