Rent vs Buy Comparison
Compare the long-term costs of renting versus buying.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy?
Extra entered ownership cost
£21,000
Over 5 years before house-price change, rent increases, maintenance, transaction costs and investment returns.
How to use this tool
Change the assumptions and the result updates immediately in your browser. The output is a planning estimate: check the entered figures, method, geographic scope, effective date and exclusions before using it for a decision.
Coverage and evidence
- Coverage
- United Kingdom
- Evidence basis
- Official UK guidance and published datasets where available
- Page reviewed
- 15 August 2026
- Cost
- Free, with no signup
Important limitations
Results depend on the accuracy of your inputs and the stated assumptions. Published datasets can be delayed, incomplete, revised, or cover different geographies. Financial, tax, mortgage, legal, safety, planning and valuation outputs are general information, not professional advice or a decision by a lender, authority, surveyor, solicitor or valuer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. It works without an account and can be used repeatedly.
Can I rely on the result?
Use it as a starting point. Verify important results against the stated primary source and an appropriately qualified professional.