Rent vs Buy
Compare renting versus buying with more context: equity built, selling costs, appreciation assumptions, and the option to keep the property as a rental later.
Inputs
This is still a planning tool, not a perfect underwriting model. The goal is cleaner judgment.
Keep this conservative. You can even set it to 0% as a stress test.
Results
A more realistic comparison that gives buying credit for equity built.
In this model, renting looks meaningfully cheaper after accounting for costs and recovered equity.
Difference over your timeline: $15,804.85 more net cost to buy than rent.
This is a planning tool for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, legal, or lending advice. Use it to frame the decision, then pressure-test the deal with a lender, agent, or other qualified professional before buying. Small changes in rate, repairs, appreciation, selling costs, or time at station can materially change the result.
- How long do I realistically expect to stay here?
- Do I still like the deal if appreciation is 0%?
- Can I cover repairs and closing costs without draining my emergency fund?
- If I PCS, would this still work as a rental after vacancy and maintenance?
- Have I seen the full lender estimate, not just the headline rate?