Rent vs. Buy Long-Term: $600K Home vs. $3,000 Rent
See the 20-year rent vs. buy comparison for a $600,000 home with 20% down against $3,000 monthly rent.
How to use this tool
- Enter home price, down payment, mortgage interest rate, current monthly rent, annual home appreciation, annual rent increase and years to compare in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your buy scenario equity and the full breakdown beneath it.
Over a 20-year horizon, buying a $600,000 home generally builds significantly more equity than renting at $3,000 per month.
Frequently asked questions
- What costs are not included?
- This model excludes property taxes, maintenance (~1% of home value/year), HOA fees, insurance, and transaction costs. Add these to the buy side for a more complete comparison.
- When does buying always win?
- In high-appreciation markets with long time horizons, buying typically dominates because leverage amplifies gains. Renting wins in stagnant markets when renters invest the difference aggressively.