Money · lens
Rent vs. Buy
A cumulative cost comparison over your time horizon. Read this as one honest input among many — the real answer depends on timing, not just math.
Educational estimates only — not financial, tax, mortgage, or investment advice.
Saves these as your planning numbers so the other tools — and your HōMI — start from the same place. Nothing here changes your assessment.
Cumulative cost over 5 years
Renting, 5yr total
$140,161
Buying, 5yr net cost
$176,283
What this means
At this horizon, renting looks cheaper on paper — but this assumes steady appreciation and ignores the risk of needing to sell in a down market, closing costs, and how a mortgage changes your flexibility to move. The answer depends on timing, not just math: how long you'll actually stay, and how much certainty you need, matter as much as the numbers above.
Related guide: Timing the market vs. timing your life