🏠
Loading comparison...
Enter your numbers to see the truth
—
Break-Even
🏠
10yr Buy Cost
—
Total out of pocket
🔑
10yr Rent Cost
—
Total rent paid
⏰
Break-Even
—
When buying wins
📈
Equity at 10yr
—
Home value minus mortgage
🎯 Rent vs Buy Verdict
Loading...
🔑 Renting
Current rent and expected increases
⚙️ Market
🏠 Buying
Home price, mortgage, and hidden costs
📅
Timeline Comparison
Cumulative cost of renting vs buying at 5, 10, 15, and 30 years
📈
Equity Builder
Watch your home equity grow — and compare to investing the down payment instead
Cumulative Cost Over Time
Annual Cost Breakdown
Where Buyer Money Goes (Yr 1)
Hidden Costs Total
Rent vs Buy Report
Vault & Vessel Studio ·
📖
How To Use
Rent or buy? See the full truth with every hidden cost included
🚀 Getting Started
1
Enter Your Rent
Current monthly rent and expected annual increase (usually 3-5% in most markets).
2
Enter Home Details
Home price, down payment, mortgage rate, property tax, insurance. Don't forget closing costs (the tool adds them).
3
See The Real Numbers
Total cost comparison at 5, 10, 15, 30 years. Break-even year tells you when buying becomes cheaper. Hidden costs view shows what people forget.
4
Check Opportunity Cost
If you rent, you could invest the down payment. The equity tracker compares home equity vs invested savings.
📊 Terms Made Simple
Break-Even Year: The year when buying's total cost drops below renting's. Before this year, renting is cheaper. After it, buying wins. It's usually 5-10 years depending on your market.
Hidden Costs: Maintenance (1-2% of home value/year), property tax, insurance, PMI (if under 20% down), closing costs (3-5%), HOA fees. These often total $800-1,500/month on top of your mortgage.
Opportunity Cost: Your down payment could be invested instead. $35,000 at 7% for 10 years = $69,000. That's the "invisible cost" of buying — money that could have grown elsewhere.
Home Equity: What your home is worth minus what you owe. It builds slowly at first (most early payments are interest), then accelerates. It's forced savings — but illiquid until you sell.
🔒 Your Data, Your Device
No subscription · Runs in your browser · Private local file
No data uploaded anywhere · Works 100% offline — no internet needed
No data uploaded anywhere · Works 100% offline — no internet needed
⚠️ This is a directional estimate, not financial advice. Real estate markets vary dramatically by location. Tax implications are simplified. Consult a financial advisor for your specific situation.