🏠 Buy vs Rent Calculator
Compare buying vs renting costs including hidden expenses. Make data-driven housing decisions.
Housing Costs
💡 Expert Tip
Buying has 10-15% hidden costs first year: closing (2-5%), moving, repairs, upgrades. $400K home: $12K closing + $5K moving + $8K repairs/upgrades = $25K upfront beyond down payment. Plus ongoing: property tax (1.2% = $4800/year), insurance ($1200), HOA ($300/month), maintenance (1% = $4000). Real monthly cost ≠ just mortgage. I bought comparing "$2400 mortgage vs $2000 rent"—but actual monthly: $2400 + $400 tax + $100 insurance + $300 HOA + $330 maintenance = $3530 (77% more than mortgage alone).
"True buying costs =mortgage + 40-60% for taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance."