Question 1

Is it better to rent or buy a house?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how long you'll stay, home prices and rents in your area, and what return you could earn by investing instead. Buying builds equity and benefits from appreciation, but carries large upfront and selling costs, plus taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Renting frees up that cash to invest. This calculator compares the wealth each path builds over your time horizon by investing the difference — the longer you stay, the more buying's one-time costs get spread out and the more appreciation compounds.

Question 2

How many years until buying beats renting?

Accepted Answer

There's no universal number — it's where buying's appreciation and equity overcome its upfront and ongoing costs versus renting and investing. In many markets the break-even is roughly 5–7 years, but it shifts with the price-to-rent ratio, your mortgage rate, and your expected investment return. Try a few holding periods here to find your own break-even.

Rent vs. Buy Calculator