We estimate the total cost of renting and buying over time based on your inputs and assumptions. Buying includes mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and one-time transaction costs. Renting includes rent payments (with growth over time).

We also estimate opportunity cost — what your down payment and any monthly savings could earn if invested — to help you compare outcomes on a more apples-to-apples basis.

The break-even point is the time when the estimated total cost of buying becomes lower than renting.