Sky Strike 3DPlayRent vs Buy Calculator
Buying wins when your home equity after selling is larger than what a renter would have by investing the down payment and monthly savings. It depends mostly on years stayed, home price growth, rent and returns.
Updated · by ViralScopeHub Team
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How to use: Fill in the home price, down payment, loan rate and term, how long you plan to stay, yearly costs and growth rates, your rent and the return you could earn on investments.
Compare the money you would have after buying a home with renting and investing the difference.
How does this rent vs buy comparison work?
Month by month, the buyer pays the mortgage (standard amortised payment), property tax and maintenance. The renter pays rent and invests the down payment, the buying costs and any monthly difference at your investment return. At the end, the buyer sells (minus selling costs) and repays the remaining loan; we compare that equity with the renter’s portfolio.
What matters most
- How long you stay: buying costs are usually recovered only after several years.
- Home price growth versus investment return.
- Rent compared with the home price (price-to-rent ratio).
VSH take: this ignores taxes, tax breaks and insurance, which vary by country. Treat it as a guide and speak to a financial adviser for big decisions.
Examples
- Paid-off check: A 500,000 home, 20% down, 6% for 30 years, staying 30 years with zero growth: payment 2,398 a month and equity of 500,000 at the end.
- Short stay: Staying only 2–3 years usually favours renting because buying and selling costs are high.
- Hot market: Higher price growth (5%+) with low rent growth tends to favour buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent or buy?
It depends on how long you stay, prices, rent and returns. This calculator shows which leaves you with more money on your assumptions.
What if the monthly cost of owning is less than rent?
The model then lets the renter withdraw from savings to cover the gap, which is fair to both sides.
Does it include tax benefits?
No. Tax rules differ by country, so they are not included.
Which return should I use for investing?
Use a realistic long-term figure after fees, for example a balanced fund estimate, not a best-case number.
Money calculators by country
- United Kingdom: Income tax & NI · Stamp duty
- Australia: Income tax
- New Zealand: Income tax & ACC
- Canada: Income tax · TFSA room · RRSP limit
- United States: Federal income tax · Roth IRA · 401(k) · Mortgage
- India: Income tax · In-hand salary · SIP · FD
