Staging preview · Owner-only form tests · Live analytics are off
Resource centre / Rent versus buy

Rent versus buy

Compare the numbers.
Keep the choice yours.

See how renting and buying compare over your expected stay, including invested savings and the cost of selling. All amounts are Canadian dollars.

Your scenario

What would the two options look like?

Illustrative starting figures only—not Edmonton market averages, lender quotes or forecasts. Compare similar homes and adjust every assumption.

Off by default: savings are retained as cash earning 0%. Turning this on applies your after-tax return equally to either side’s savings.

Ownership expenses should include property tax, home insurance, maintenance spending, condo/association fees and any extra utilities compared with renting. Exclude mortgage payments and costs already included elsewhere. Include legal, registration and other purchase costs in upfront buying costs. Enter a lender-quoted insurance premium if financed; if paid in cash include it in upfront costs instead.

Your comparison will appear here

Calculate a scenario to see monthly costs, estimated net positions and year-by-year results.

How this comparison works

Both options start with the same cash. The renter retains the down payment and upfront purchase costs as cash, or invests them if investment growth is selected. Each month, whichever option costs less retains the difference. Cash earns 0% by default; optional investment growth applies the selected return equally to either side’s savings. Buying includes home equity after the remaining mortgage and selling costs, plus retained monthly savings. The full mortgage payment is a cash expense; principal repayment is also reflected in the lower mortgage balance, so it is not treated as lost money.

The fixed mortgage rate uses semi-annual compounding converted to a monthly rate and is held constant for the entire comparison, including renewals. Payments stop when the loan is paid off. Expenses and rent increase annually. Home value compounds monthly using its annual assumption. Investment growth compounds monthly only when selected. Maintenance is treated as spent, not retained cash. Selling costs apply at each hypothetical year-end sale.

No mortgage qualification, minimum down-payment eligibility, automatic mortgage-insurance calculation, investment account contribution limits, tax credits, capital-gains tax, rent-control limits or future renewal rates are assessed. Use an investment return after fees and tax. Buying assumes no tax on the home sale; change the analysis with an adviser if this does not fit your situation. Lifestyle, flexibility and unexpected major repairs matter too.

Reference: AMF buying-versus-renting calculator methodology. SRG uses the explicit assumptions above; this is an independent planning tool.

Your figures stay on this page. No account or email is needed. Refreshing clears them.

A conversation when you need one

Want help comparing homes and rental alternatives?

Tell Corey what you are working through. Call or text 780-221-3088, or try the request form below.

Owner testing only: submissions using corey@edmontonrealestate.net can be stored in Cloudflare and delivered to FUB. Other email addresses are blocked. No guide email delivery is active.

This owner test records the contact fields you submit. Calculator answers and shortlist preferences are not included. Review the proposed privacy approach.