Should you rent or buy in Northern Virginia? Use this free calculator to

compare true costs, net worth, and break-even month — built for Northern Virginia renters & buyers.

Buy vs. Rent Calculator
Free Tool

Should You Buy or Rent?

Compare the true financial outcome of buying vs. renting over time — and see what your current rent could buy.

Step 1 — Set Your Timeline & Assumptions
7 yrs
1 yr30 yrs
4.0%
0%12%
3.0%
0%10%
$
Used to calculate housing-to-income ratio
Step 2 — Buying Inputs
$
%
= $47,500
6.750%
3%12%
%
Stafford County default
%
Annual % of home value
%
%
Step 3 — Renting Inputs
$
$
Step 4 — Renter's Savings Assumption
Investor mode: The renter is assumed to invest the down payment on day one and invest any monthly savings (the difference between owning costs and renting costs) at the rate below. This is the most financially optimistic scenario for renting.
7.0%
0%15%
How this works: We calculate total costs for both paths over your timeline and compare estimated net worth — home equity (after selling costs) for buyers vs. savings for renters. The Rent-to-Purchase section below the results shows what home price your current rent could support as a mortgage.
Results after 7 years
Buying
—
Est. net worth after selling
Renting
—
Invested savings + down payment
Monthly Mortgage P&I —
Total Cost Difference —
Net Worth Advantage —
Total Cost Breakdown — Buying vs. Renting
Buying — Total Costs —
Renting — Total Costs —
Down Pmt + Closing —
Rent Paid —
Mortgage Payments —
Investment Portfolio —
What Could Your Rent Payment Buy? — Purchase Estimate
Est. Purchase Price
—
Rent as max P&I payment
Required Down Payment
—
—
Est. Monthly PITI
—
P&I + tax + insurance
Est. Loan Amount
—
Price minus down
Housing-to-Income
—
Guideline: under 28%
Home Value in 7 Yrs
—
At your appreciation rate
Calculating…

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Whether you're buying or still renting, I can help you map out the right path in Northern Virginia.

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This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Figures assume simplified annual compounding. Consult a licensed mortgage or financial professional before making real estate decisions. © Regis Wells Real Estate · regiswells.com