Enter your home price, mortgage rate, and how long you plan to stay — see your break-even year and the net financial advantage of buying vs. renting over your exact timeline.
The net advantage compares two scenarios over your time horizon: (1) buying the home, and (2) renting and investing your down payment in the stock market. It accounts for equity built, mortgage interest, property taxes, maintenance, and the opportunity cost of your down payment.
The break-even year is when cumulative buying costs drop below renting costs. Before that year, renting is cheaper. After it, buying wins — and the gap grows the longer you stay.
2026 context: With rates around 6.5–7%, the national average break-even is 6–8 years — up from 4–5 years in 2021. Your time horizon is the single most important input in this calculator.
Buying isn't always better, even over long horizons. Renting typically wins when you're in a high price-to-rent ratio market (above 25), planning to move within 4 years, or when the invested down payment significantly outperforms home appreciation in your area.