Renting and investing the difference comes out ahead by about 2,036 after 10 years.
Year by year
| Year | Buy: home equity + savings | Rent: savings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55,777 | 81,012 |
| 2 | 70,052 | 93,383 |
| 3 | 84,843 | 106,125 |
| 4 | 100,171 | 119,247 |
| 5 | 116,056 | 132,761 |
| 6 | 132,519 | 146,680 |
| 7 | 149,582 | 161,014 |
| 8 | 167,268 | 175,777 |
| 9 | 185,600 | 190,982 |
| 10 | 204,604 | 206,640 |
How the comparison works
Both options spend the same money. The buyer pays the down payment and the buying costs; the renter invests that money instead. Every month, whoever pays less invests the difference. At the end the buyer sells the home and pays the selling costs and what is left of the loan.
The result is what each of them would have at the end. The cost of owning includes the mortgage payment, property tax, repairs and fees; the rent grows every year.
What tips the balance
- Time: buying and selling cost several percent of the price, so short stays usually favour renting.
- The price-to-rent ratio: when a year of rent is a small share of the price, renting tends to win.
- Rates and returns: high mortgage rates favour renting, a low return on savings favours buying.
- What money can't measure: stability, the freedom to move, the right to renovate.
Not financial advice. This is an illustration based on your own assumptions, not financial advice. Real prices, rents, rates and returns change and can turn out lower than assumed; taxes and fees depend on your country. For a decision, talk to a licensed adviser.