Free Rent vs. Buy Comparison Worksheet Printable
Lay renting and buying side by side with real numbers instead of gut feeling. Fill in both columns for your actual situation and compare the totals.
PDF · Free, no signup · US Letter and A4
| Factor | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Payment | ||
| Down Payment / Deposit | ||
| Property Tax | ||
| Insurance | ||
| Maintenance | ||
| Est. 5-Year Total |
Your entries are saved in this browser only, so you can come back to them. Nothing is uploaded.
How to Use This Printable
- Fill in the Renting column with a real rental quote or current rent.
- Fill in the Buying column using a mortgage estimate and closing cost figures.
- Compare both columns row by row.
- Use the 5-Year Total row as the real bottom-line comparison, not just the monthly payment.
Why real numbers beat gut feeling here
Renting and buying feel like a lifestyle choice, but the actual dollar comparison depends heavily on local prices, so real quotes for both sides make the difference visible instead of assumed.
The 5-Year Total row is the real answer
Monthly payment alone tends to favor renting, since it leaves out the down payment, property tax, insurance, and maintenance a monthly comparison misses. The 5-Year Total is usually where the real answer lives.
Redoing it when things change
Interest rates, rent prices, and the neighborhoods you're considering all shift over time, so a comparison from a year ago is worth redoing with current numbers rather than trusting the old conclusion.
Ideas for Using This Printable
- Get real numbers from a lender and a rental listing before filling this in, rough guesses undercut the comparison.
- Redo it if interest rates or your target neighborhood changes significantly.
- Pair with the Net Worth Tracker to see how either choice affects your bigger picture.
Related Printables
FAQ
- Does this include investment opportunity cost?
- No, it sticks to direct housing costs; factor in what a down payment could otherwise earn separately if that matters to your decision.
- Is buying always better long-term?
- Not always, it depends on how long you'll stay, local price-to-rent ratios, and maintenance costs; that's exactly what this worksheet is for figuring out.
- What if I'm not sure how long I'll stay?
- Run the comparison at a few different timeframes, like 3, 5, and 10 years, since buying tends to look better the longer you stay in one place.
- Should HOA fees be included?
- Yes, add them to the Buying column alongside property tax and insurance if the property has one.
- Is this worksheet US-specific?
- The categories are general; property tax rates, closing costs, and mortgage structures vary by country, so use local figures for each row.