# Rent vs Buy Calculator

> Compare the total cost of renting against buying over a period you choose.

Renting versus buying comes down to net cost: what you pay out, minus what you get back. Buying recovers equity but pays interest and maintenance; renting pays no interest but recovers nothing, though the deposit can stay invested. This calculator models both over a period you choose.

**URL:** https://convertto.tech/t/rent-vs-buy-calculator
**Category:** Calculators (https://convertto.tech/c/calculators)
**Privacy:** Runs entirely in the browser; no upload
**Cost:** Free, no sign-up
**Last updated:** 2026-08-01

## Key facts

- **Privacy:** Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded
- **Cost:** Free, unlimited, no sign-up

## How to use

1. Set the property price.
2. Set the deposit.
3. Set the mortgage rate.
4. Set the compare over.
5. Set the monthly rent.
6. Set the annual property growth.
7. Set the yearly ownership costs.
8. Set the return if the deposit were invested.
9. Choose the currency symbol.
10. The result appears immediately — copy or download it.

## FAQ

### Why does renting sometimes win?

Over short periods, because mortgage payments are mostly interest at the start and buying costs 3–8% in fees to enter and exit. Buying usually pulls ahead somewhere between year five and year ten, depending on the rate and growth assumptions.

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