Rent vs. Buy Calculator
“Buy, don't rent” is common advice, but it's a generalization, not a calculation. The answer depends on your local market, your rate, how long you plan to stay, and what you'd earn investing your down payment instead. Put your numbers in and see where you land.
Does not model state income taxes, AMT, or tax bracket phase-outs. Simplification: home value is tracked in real terms while the purchase cost basis for capital gains purposes is nominal, which slightly understates the taxable gain on sale in high-inflation scenarios.