How the calculators work, what they assume, and how to read the results.
The average American homeowner now spends over $21,000 per year on costs beyond the mortgage — property taxes, insurance, utilities, and upkeep (Bankrate, 2025).
Historically, the S&P 500’s ~10% average annual return has outpaced U.S. home-price appreciation of ~4–5% — though buying adds leverage and saved rent, which is exactly why the full comparison matters.
Our calculator runs both scenarios side by side so you can see the complete financial picture of this decision.