Renting & moving

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Rent versus buy is not simply rent payment versus mortgage payment. Ownership includes interest, maintenance, buying and selling costs and the opportunity cost of tying up a deposit; buying can also build equity. This tool keeps those parts separate.

Free calculatorInputs saved only in this browser

Renting scenario

Model the cost of remaining a renter.

£/month
%
years

Buying scenario

Use a realistic property and mortgage scenario.

£
£
%
years
£
% of value
%
% of value
%

Your estimate

Use the result as a planning guide and change inputs to test the assumptions that matter most.

Use the result as a planning guide and change inputs to test the assumptions that matter most.

How this calculator works

The model grows rent annually, amortises a repayment mortgage for the chosen horizon, estimates maintenance and transaction costs, and separately estimates end-of-period equity using your house-price assumption.

How to use it

  1. Enter current rent and a rent-growth assumption.
  2. Enter the property price, deposit, mortgage rate and term.
  3. Add buying costs and a maintenance percentage.
  4. Choose a comparison horizon and cautious property-growth assumption.
  5. Test at least one lower-growth and higher-rate scenario.

Assumptions and limitations

House prices, rents, mortgage rates and maintenance are uncertain. The model does not include every tax, service charge, insurance cost or investment tax. It is not a forecast of property performance.

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