Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the long-term financial impact of renting versus buying a home in the Triangle.
This calculator uses a net-worth comparison approach: it tracks your total wealth in both scenarios over your time horizon, accounting for home appreciation, rent increases, opportunity cost of the down payment, and selling costs. The result shows which scenario leaves you wealthier, and at what point in time buying becomes the better financial choice (the break-even point).
Renting scenario
Buying scenario
Down payment
Long-term assumptions
Renting comes out ahead over 10 years
Renting wins by $10,799
Buying does not break even within your 10-year time horizon.
Renter after 10 years
Buyer after 10 years
Thinking about buying in the Triangle?
The Sakan rebate (typically 1–2% of purchase price) directly improves the buy side of this comparison — reducing effective closing costs and improving your break-even year.
This calculator uses a net-worth comparison methodology and makes many assumptions about future conditions, including home appreciation rates, rent increases, investment returns, and tax law stability. Actual outcomes depend on real-world variables that may differ significantly from these assumptions: regional housing market conditions, interest rate environment, your personal investment behavior, repair and maintenance costs (which can vary widely), home insurance market changes, and changes in tax law (the mortgage interest deduction calculation here is simplified and assumes itemizing). The calculator does not account for non-financial factors like flexibility of renting, customization of owning, time spent on home maintenance, or stability preferences. It also assumes no major lifestyle changes (relocation, family changes, job changes) that might force selling early. This is educational comparison only — for personalized financial planning, consult a qualified financial advisor.
This tool is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or investment advice. Sakan Properties does not guarantee the accuracy of these calculations for your specific situation. Consult qualified professionals (lender, attorney, CPA, financial advisor) for advice specific to your circumstances.