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Rent vs Buy Calculator UK

Compare the longer-term financial outcome of renting versus buying using your deposit, mortgage, rent, expected house price growth, selling costs and investment assumptions.

Calculator inputs

Mortgage amount £0.00
Estimated LTV 0.00%
Est. monthly mortgage £0.00
This is a financial comparison tool rather than a lifestyle recommendation. Small assumption changes can materially alter the result.

Your results

Difference after 7 years £36,406.09
Buyer net position £96,869.39
Renter net position £60,463.30
Est. monthly mortgage payment £1,250.62
Loan-to-value (LTV) 90.00%
Comparison Buying Renting
Upfront cash used / invested £29,499.00 £29,499.00
Total mortgage payments £105,052.08 £0.00
Total mortgage interest £64,966.93 £0.00
Total ongoing owner costs £14,700.00 £0.00
Total rent paid £0.00 £102,676.11
Total renter running costs £0.00 £2,100.00
Monthly savings invested by renter £14,975.94
Monthly savings invested by buyer £0.00
Final side investment pot £0.00 £60,463.30
Final property value £287,534.94
Estimated selling costs £5,750.70
Mortgage balance at end £184,914.85
• Buying assumes a repayment mortgage with a fixed rate and no remortgage changes during the comparison period.
• Renting assumes the avoided upfront cash is invested, and whichever side has the lower monthly housing cost invests that monthly saving.
• The result does not include tax on investments, maintenance shocks, voids, furnishings, or personal lifestyle factors.

Year-by-year snapshot

A quick view of how buyer equity and the renter investment pot evolve over time.

Year Property value Mortgage balance Buyer equity Buyer side pot Renter pot
1 £255,046.09 £220,015.58 £29,929.59 £0.00 £34,513.93
2 £260,194.03 £214,802.18 £40,187.97 £0.00 £39,368.95
3 £265,445.88 £209,349.28 £50,787.68 £0.00 £44,043.22
4 £270,803.73 £203,645.87 £61,741.79 £0.00 £48,514.43
5 £276,269.73 £197,680.44 £73,063.90 £0.00 £52,758.80
6 £281,846.06 £191,440.96 £84,768.18 £0.00 £56,750.81
7 £287,534.94 £184,914.85 £96,869.39 £0.00 £60,463.30

What this calculator helps you compare

This tool compares two simplified financial paths over the same timeframe. In the buying scenario, it models a repayment mortgage, ongoing owner costs, house price growth and selling costs. In the renting scenario, it assumes the upfront cash you did not tie up in a purchase stays invested, and the monthly cost gap between the two options is also invested or drawn down.

What is included

  • Mortgage payments and outstanding balance
  • Deposit, mortgage fees and upfront buying costs
  • Maintenance, service charge and home insurance style running costs
  • Rent, rent increases and renter running costs
  • Estimated property growth and sale costs
  • An investment return assumption for the renting route

What it does not include

It does not model tax on investments, emergency repairs, remortgage changes, furnishing costs, lifestyle preferences, or the flexibility value of renting. It is best used as a planning tool rather than a definitive answer.

This calculator provides general estimates only and does not constitute financial, mortgage, tax, or legal advice.