Lease vs Buy Calculator
Compare estimated total cost of leasing vs buying over the same term. Simple, fast, decision-oriented.
Buy
Lease
Simplified estimate. Does not include maintenance, insurance, taxes, mileage fees, or opportunity cost.
How it works
This calculator compares cash outflows over the same term: Buy = down payment + total loan payments − estimated resale value. Lease = due at signing + total lease payments.
The buy scenario estimates a monthly loan payment using standard amortization from the financed amount (price − down payment). Resale value is user-provided because it depends on mileage, condition, and market pricing.
For a more realistic comparison, add expected one-time fees/taxes into the car price (buy) and/or due at signing (lease). Then test multiple resale values to see how sensitive the result is.
Examples
- Compare a 36-month lease vs a 36-month loan with an estimated resale value.
- Increase resale value to see when buying becomes cheaper (or vice versa).
- Try 0 down payment vs higher down payment and see payment/total cost changes.
When to use this tool
This tool is designed for quick, practical tasks such as everyday calculations, data formatting, or simple conversions. It is best used when you need fast results without installing software or using complex tools.
When to use
- Quick checks or one-time calculations
- Validating or converting data before using it elsewhere
- Simple tasks that do not require advanced software
When not to use
- Critical financial, legal, or medical decisions
- Large-scale or automated processing
- Situations requiring guaranteed precision beyond basic validation
Always review results before using them in important contexts.
About this tool
This tool helps you perform quick utility operations directly in your browser. It runs entirely in your browser without sending data to a server.
You can use this tool when handling simple tasks without installing additional software. The results should be interpreted as a processed output based on your input data.
FAQ
- What does this lease vs buy calculator compare?
It compares estimated out-of-pocket cost of leasing versus buying over the same term. Buying includes down payment + loan payments minus your estimated resale value. Leasing includes due-at-signing + monthly lease payments.
- Does this include taxes, insurance, maintenance, or mileage fees?
No. Those costs vary widely. For a rough comparison, you can add expected taxes/fees into the car price (buy) or due-at-signing (lease).
- How important is resale value?
Very. Resale value is often the biggest driver of the buy-side result. Try a few resale values to understand best/worst cases.
- Is APR the same as interest rate?
APR is an annualized borrowing cost that may include certain fees. For a cleaner comparison, use the lender’s published APR.
- Is this a precise financial recommendation?
No. It’s a simplified model for quick decision support. Consider total ownership costs and your driving habits.