Rent or Buy? This Calculator Helps You Decide in Today’s Market

 Hi, Debby here! If you’re debating whether to keep renting or take the plunge into homeownership, you’re not alone. With rising rents and fluctuating interest rates, it’s essential to know when buying makes sense—and when renting might be the better choice.

That’s where the Rent vs. Buy Calculator comes in.  

How the Rent vs. Buy Calculator Works

This tool takes a deep dive into the financials, comparing the cost of renting to the cost of buying based on key factors like:

✔️ Current rent rates for your area
✔️ Loan program details (home price, down payment, interest rates, loan term)
✔️ Tax savings projections (always consult an accountant for specifics)
✔️ Home appreciation & rent increases over time
✔️ Property taxes, hazard insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance costs

By plugging in these numbers, the calculator determines when buying may break even with renting and what your potential equity and net gain could look like over time.

Two Real-World Scenarios

I ran two different rent comparisons to see how monthly rent impacts the buy vs. rent decision:

📌 Renting a Single-Family Home: $5,200/month
📌 Renting a 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,625/month - SEE this video on my CALCULATORS page

With these figures, the calculator helps determine how long it would take for a home purchase to become more financially beneficial than continuing to rent. The break-even point varies depending on factors like interest rates, home appreciation, and maintenance costs—but having this data makes it easier to decide.

What This Means for You

The decision to rent or buy isn’t just about monthly payments—it’s about long-term financial impact. Some key takeaways from this analysis:

✅ Higher rent often means buying is a better option sooner – If you're paying $5,000+ a month in rent, you could be building home equity instead.
✅ Buying comes with upfront costs but potential long-term gains – Homeownership offers stability and the opportunity to grow wealth over time.
✅ Market conditions matter – Interest rates, home prices, and seller incentives can shift the equation, making homeownership more attainable.

Explore Your Options

If you’re on the fence about renting vs. buying, let’s run the numbers together! Every situation is unique, and I’m here to help you make the best financial decision for your future.

📞 Call me at 619-820-9999 or schedule a consultation through my CALENDAR to discuss your options.

Debby Eubank, Realtor, SRES
Nest & Invest Host / Real Estate Maven
Jason Mitchell Group
DRE# 01332306