Renting scenario
Monthly rentYour current or target monthly rent
Annual rent increaseHow much rent typically rises per year
%/yr
Renter's insuranceMonthly cost of contents/renters insurance
Investment return
If renting, what you invest instead
Annual investment returnExpected return if you invest the down payment and monthly savings instead of buying
%/yr
This is the opportunity cost rate: what you could earn by investing the down payment and keeping monthly savings in the market. A diversified global equity portfolio has historically returned 7–9% annually.
Purchase details
Home pricePurchase price of the property
Down paymentPercentage of purchase price upfront
%
Closing costsUpfront costs: legal, inspection, stamp duty
%
Selling costsAgent fees + costs if/when you sell
%
Mortgage
Interest rateAnnual mortgage rate
%/yr
Loan term
15 yr
20 yr
30 yr
Ongoing costs
Property taxAnnual rate on assessed home value
%/yr
Home insuranceAnnual building/contents insurance
/yr
HOA / strata feesMonthly body corporate or HOA dues
/mo
MaintenanceRepairs, upkeep: typically 1% of home value/yr
%/yr
Annual home appreciationExpected annual growth in property value
%/yr
Time horizon
10 yr
Enter your rent and home price to see the comparison.
AI verdict
AI
Fill in both scenarios and set your time horizon. The AI reads every assumption: monthly costs, wealth trajectories, break-even, and the single assumption that most changes the answer: and gives you a clear verdict with reasoning.
AI · Rent vs Buy verdict
What the AI reads
Rent scenarioMonthly rent, increases, renter insurance, investment return
✓
Buy scenarioPrice, down payment, rate, term, all ongoing costs, appreciation
✓
Wealth comparisonBuyer equity vs renter portfolio at your time horizon
✓
Break-even yearWhen (if ever) buying overtakes renting
✓