Rent vs Buy Calculator — UK
Compare renting vs buying in UK over your time horizon and see which comes out ahead. Free, no signup.
Should you rent or buy in UK?
Renting vs buying isn't just about the monthly payment. Buying adds a down payment, mortgage interest, maintenance, taxes and transaction costs — but builds equity and benefits from price growth. Renting is flexible and avoids those costs but builds no equity. The calculator adds up the total cash each option uses over your time horizon and shows which wins.
What the calculator compares
- Buying: down payment + mortgage payments + maintenance − the home's value after price growth.
- Renting: total rent paid (including annual increases).
- Enter your numbers and time horizon to see the break-even and the winner for UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy in UK?
It depends on how long you'll stay, price growth, rent increases and your mortgage rate. Short stays usually favour renting; longer stays often favour buying. The calculator gives a clear answer for your numbers.
What costs does buying add?
Down payment, mortgage interest, maintenance (~1%/yr), property taxes/fees, and transaction costs on purchase and sale. The calculator factors these in.
Does buying always build wealth?
Not always — if you sell soon after buying, transaction costs and interest can outweigh equity and price growth. Time horizon is the key variable.
How is the break-even found?
By comparing the total cash each option uses over your horizon — including the home's value after growth for buying — and finding when buying overtakes renting.