About RentVsBuy
RentVsBuy is the head-to-head the housing debate skips: what owning really costs per month once taxes, maintenance, and opportunity cost are counted, and when the crossover happens.
RentVsBuy exists because both camps argue with loaded numbers — "throwing money away on rent" ignores interest, taxes, and a roof that needs replacing; "buying is always better" ignores the year you move. The comparison is arithmetic with honest inputs, and it changes by the person.
Every calculator on RentVsBuy shows its formula and its assumptions on the page, so you can check the math, reproduce it in a spreadsheet, or argue with it. Inputs are processed entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to a server, and there are no accounts.
RentVsBuy is an independent, ad-supported project. We are not affiliated with any lender, brand, agency, or the sources we cite (CFPB and IRS public guidance). If a number looks wrong, the contact page reaches a human who fixes it.
What makes RentVsBuy different
- Your numbers never leave your browser. Every calculator on RentVsBuy runs entirely on your device. We never see, store, or transmit the figures you enter — there are no accounts and no server-side processing of your inputs.
- Published methodology. Each calculator page explains the exact formula it uses and the assumptions behind it, so you can check our work or reproduce it in a spreadsheet.
- Free, forever, without a paywall. RentVsBuy is supported by advertising. There is no premium tier, no email gate, and no upsell.
Independence
RentVsBuy is an independent educational project. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency, lender, insurer, or the organizations whose formulas and public data we reference (such as CFPB and IRS public guidance). All trademarks and referenced standards belong to their respective owners.
Questions, corrections, or suggestions are genuinely welcome — get in touch.