Calculators
Rent vs. buy, in plain cash terms
How many years of rent equals the cash it takes to own? This is an educational cash-outlay comparison, not financial advice: your rent growing on your assumption, against the monthly cost of owning plus the down payment and closing costs computed by our tested Florida engine. Change any assumption and watch the break-even year move.
What you pay now — the renting side grows it each year by your rent-increase assumption below.
Percent of the purchase price paid in cash up front — the rest is financed.
Note rate on the loan, amortized over the engine's standard 30-year term.
Assumptions: rent growth, taxes, insurance, HOA
Actual Florida taxes depend on assessed value, homestead exemption, and millage.
Quotes vary widely by building, age, and coverage.
Rent vs. buy — cumulative cash outlay
$500,000.00 · Broward County
vs. $3,000.00 per month in rent today
Monthly cost of owning
- $2,528.27
Principal & interest
Amortized payment on the $400,000.00 loan, computed by the engine
- 1.1% of price / yr
Property taxes
Annual assumption you entered — the engine spreads it monthly
- $250.00
Insurance
Monthly figure, as entered
- $0.00
HOA / condo dues
Monthly figure, as entered
Renting today: $3,000.00 per month.
Cash to get in the door
- $100,000.00
Down payment (20%)
- $4,947.50
Closing costs at purchase
Computed by our tested Florida closing engine
Year by year
Renting stays cheaper on cash outlay across this horizon.
| Year | Cumulative renting | Cumulative owning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $36,000.00 | $143,786.70 |
| 2 | $73,440.00 | $182,625.90 |
| 3 | $112,377.60 | $221,465.10 |
| 4 | $152,872.68 | $260,304.30 |
| 5 | $194,987.52 | $299,143.50 |
| 6 | $238,786.92 | $337,982.70 |
| 7 | $284,338.32 | $376,821.90 |
Assumptions you can change
- Rent grows 4% per year.
- Property taxes estimated at 1.1% of the purchase price per year — actual Florida taxes depend on assessed value, homestead exemption, and millage.
- Insurance estimated at $250/month — quotes vary widely by building, age, and coverage.
- Ownership cost excludes maintenance, and the comparison ignores appreciation, equity build-up, tax effects, and investment returns on the down payment — it is a cash-outlay comparison, not financial advice.
- Closing costs use the same tested Florida promulgated-rate engine as our other calculators.
Educational cash-outlay comparison only — not financial, tax, investment, or legal advice, and not a quote or a commitment. The owning side follows the assumptions listed above; the closing-cost figure comes from the same tested engine as our other calculators (Florida promulgated title rates under Rule 69O-186.003, transfer taxes, and statutory recording fees), as of July 2026. Lender charges, prepaids, escrows, prorations, and service fees vary by transaction and appear on your official quote and settlement statement.
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