Financial decision guide and interactive simulator

Rent versus buy calculator

Does buying create more value than renting over my actual time horizon?

What this calculation is designed to show

This comparison follows buyer equity and the renter's invested deposit and monthly saving. Transaction costs and the number of years you expect to stay often matter more than a small difference between rent and a bond payment.

How to test the decision

Run a short, medium and long holding period. Reduce property growth and increase maintenance in the buying case, then lower investment returns in the renting case so neither option receives an optimistic advantage.

Using the result responsibly

Change one important assumption at a time and compare a cautious case with the expected case. The interactive calculator below updates from the values you enter. Its output is an educational estimate, not financial, tax, legal or investment advice.

Read the calculation methodology or learn about The Finance Check.