Compare total net wealth accumulation between buying a home vs. renting and investing the difference.
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Rent vs. Buy True Cost Calculator — Calculations use publicly available benchmarks and are for education. Verify with a licensed professional. Primary sources: SEC · IRS · CFPB · Federal Reserve.
Groundwork cites sec.gov, irs.gov, consumerfinance.gov directly in methodology. No sponsored bias.
Rent vs. Buy True Cost Calculator is an open decision utility designed to provide initial quantitative clarity across personal finance, home infrastructure, and lifestyle trade-offs. Calculations are non-deterministic screening tools and do not constitute fiduciary, legal, or medical advice.
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<a href="https://gworky.com/tools/rent-vs-buy-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calculated via Groundwork Rent vs. Buy True Cost Calculator</a> • <a href="https://gworky.com/citations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">View 2026 Benchmark Methodology</a>
</p>Compare total net wealth over time accounting for mortgage amortization, property taxes, maintenance, and investment opportunity cost.
| Tier / Market | Home Price | Monthly Rent | Break-Even Year | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Home / Low Cost | $350,000 | $1,800/mo | 4 Yrs | Apply |
| US Median Suburban | $500,000 | $2,500/mo | 5 Yrs | Apply |
| Metro Urban Market | $750,000 | $3,600/mo | 6 Yrs | Apply |
| High-Cost Prime Metro | $1,000,000 | $4,800/mo | 7 Yrs | Apply |