Rent or buy: Compare the economics of two homes
How long you expect to live in the same place can matter a lot for the choice between renting and buying. When buying, transaction costs and financing must be spread over the period. When renting, you have other payments and typically tie up less capital.
Worked example
- Period: 5 years
- Purchase price: 300,000.00 USD
- Down payment: 15,000.00 USD
- Trading costs: 7,500.00 USD
- Interest rate: 0 %
- Term: 30 years
- Rent: 1,500.00 USD
Largest wealth after 5 years: Owning
105,000 USD
Owning 105,000 USD (home 300,000 USD minus selling costs and remaining debt 237,500 USD plus savings 42,500 USD ) · renting 22,500 USD · difference 82,500 USD
The same budget every month; the cheaper home invests the difference. Repayments are savings in the home.
Use two specific housing scenarios
Enter the rent and other rental payments for one home. For the owned home, the purchase price, financing, ownership costs, maintenance and costs of a later sale are included. Shared consumption items are treated the same way.
The calculator keeps housing costs and the development of wealth separate. Principal payments move money from cash to equity. That is why they cannot be treated as a loss in the same way as interest or a fee.
Guide to a useful comparison
Choose a realistic time in the home
Look at both your expected period and a shorter period. An earlier sale can make the transaction costs more noticeable. It can also change the result if the value of the home develops differently than assumed.
Calculate with the money you do not tie up
If the renter keeps an amount that the buyer uses for the down payment, the alternative use must be shown. An assumed investment return is a scenario and must be treated with relevant costs and tax.
The result describes the chosen economic paths. The location and size of the homes and the freedom to change them can differ. So compare homes that actually meet your needs, and try several developments in home prices and interest rates. Use the budget calculator to also check your ongoing ability to pay.