Rent vs Buy Calculator

This comprehensive rent vs buy calculator template transforms one of life's biggest financial decisions into a data-driven analysis. Built in Quadratic's intelligent spreadsheet environment, this tool helps you evaluate whether renting or buying a home makes more financial sense over the long term.

The template goes beyond simple monthly payment comparisons by incorporating crucial factors like opportunity costs, property appreciation, maintenance expenses, and investment returns to provide a complete financial picture.

Whether you're relocating for a new job, considering your first home purchase, or evaluating investment properties, this buying vs renting calculator delivers clear insights that can save you thousands of rupees over time.

How users interact

Getting started is straightforward: simply adjust the values in the blue "User Input" column to match your specific situation. Input your home price, down payment amount, loan terms, current rent, and other relevant financial parameters. The template automatically calculates year-wise cost breakdowns, showing exactly how expenses accumulate over your chosen comparison period.

The system generates dynamic visualizations, including pie charts breaking down buying costs (EMI payments, taxes, maintenance, opportunity costs) versus renting costs (total rent plus investment value of down payment). A comprehensive year-wise tracker displays cumulative costs for both scenarios, while professional charts provide instant visual comparisons.

Pro tip: Experiment with different comparison periods (20 vs 25 years) to see how time impacts the pros and cons of renting vs buying. The template's real-time calculations make scenario planning effortless.

Who it's for

This template serves young professionals relocating for career opportunities, first-time homebuyers weighing their options, and anyone facing the renting vs buying dilemma. Real estate investors can use it to evaluate rental properties, while financial advisors can leverage it for client consultations.

Perfect for individuals who want data-backed decisions rather than emotional choices, this rent vs buy analysis tool suits anyone comfortable with basic spreadsheet navigation but seeking sophisticated financial modeling capabilities.

Key highlights

Unlike basic online rent vs buy calculators, this template provides comprehensive 20+ year projections with professional-grade visualizations and customizable parameters. The automated calculations update instantly as you modify inputs, while the clean, beginner-friendly interface makes complex financial analysis accessible to everyone.

Ready to make an informed decision about your housing future? Duplicate this buy vs rent calculator template and start analyzing your options today – because the right choice could save you lakhs over the years.

Template credit

This template was created by Vandana Satwani as part of the Quadratic Template Challenge hosted by Codebasics. Vandana was one of five winners in this competition, creating this powerful tool to help professionals make smarter housing decisions. Her original submission can be viewed here.