5-Year Rent vs. Buy Cash-Flow Calculator
Compare estimated 5-year cash outflows for renting and buying using a simplified model.
How it works
Rent side: monthly rent × 60 months. Buy side: down payment + mortgage principal and interest paid during the period + entered property tax and maintenance estimates. This is not a complete rent-vs-buy financial model.
Example
Try the prefilled values, then adjust rent, home price, down payment, rate, and annual costs.
FAQ
What does this compare?
Cash outflow, not net worth. Down payment and mortgage principal may build home equity and are not treated as recoverable value in this simplified estimate.
What is not included?
Appreciation, selling costs, rent increases, homeowners insurance, closing costs, PMI, HOA, and opportunity cost.