What belongs in the comparison
A simple cash-outflow comparison is useful but does not estimate net wealth. Principal repayment, investment returns, tax effects and future prices require additional assumptions. The site’s rent-buy tool explicitly excludes those outcomes rather than silently forecasting appreciation.
| Category | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cash | Rent and renter insurance | Payment, taxes, insurance, fees and maintenance |
| One-time costs | Nonrefundable move and lease costs | Buying and eventual selling costs |
| Funds tied up | Refundable deposit | Down payment and reserves |
| Exit | Lease terms | Sale timing and transaction expenses |
Which assumption drives the rent-or-buy result?
Use the calculator as a cash-flow comparison, then identify the assumption that changes the result: holding period, financing, maintenance, rent or moving timing. Do not present the output as a wealth forecast without the additional assumptions it excludes.
Sources & further reading
- CFPB determine a comfortable home budget checked 2026-09-26
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