About RentOrBuy

Whether to rent or buy a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will ever face. Yet for many, this decision is driven by emotion, social pressure, or outdated conventional wisdom rather than careful analysis of the actual numbers.

RentOrBuy was built to change that. We provide a free, comprehensive calculator that compares the true cost of renting versus buying, accounting for factors that most simple calculators ignore: tax benefits, opportunity cost of the down payment, wealth building over time, transaction costs, and the time value of money.

Our goal is not to tell you what to do — it is to give you the information and tools to make the decision that is right for your unique financial situation, timeline, and life goals.

Most rent-vs-buy calculators simply compare the monthly mortgage payment to rent. That is a dangerously incomplete picture. Our calculator considers the full picture: after-tax costs, equity building, investment opportunity cost, closing costs on both purchase and sale, home appreciation, rent increases, and year-by-year wealth accumulation under both scenarios.

We also provide educational guides and blog content to help you understand the factors that go into this decision. Knowledge is power, and we believe informed decisions lead to better financial outcomes.

• Free forever. Our calculator and educational content will always be free to use.
• No data collection. All calculations happen in your browser. We do not collect, store, or sell your financial information.
• Unbiased. We have no financial incentive to push you toward renting or buying. We are not affiliated with any lender, real estate company, or investment firm.
• Transparent. Our calculation methodology is visible in the source code. We show our work.

About ZAXIS Ventures LLC

RentOrBuy is a product of ZAXIS Ventures LLC, a technology company focused on building useful, free financial tools. We believe that access to good financial analysis should not be limited to those who can afford financial advisors.

Important disclaimer: The tools and content on this website are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional financial, tax, or legal advice. The calculations are estimates based on the inputs you provide and general assumptions. Your actual financial results will vary. Always consult qualified professionals before making major financial decisions.