Rent-or-own comparison

Rent vs. buy calculator for Canada

Compare multi-year renting costs with estimated ownership costs using the selected region’s transfer fees, mortgage-insurance tax, and sales tax on selling costs.

Start calculating

Test the assumptions that change the answer.

Recommended buying path

Example numbers

All 10 tools

STEP 1 OF 2

Where is the property?

Choose a province or territory so taxes, transfer fees, and regional assumptions are tailored before you start.

NEXT STEPS

What to do next

Continue your plan, verify the official rule, and know who can confirm details specific to your situation.

Continue your planHome affordability calculator for Canada

Compare a comfortable home budget, an estimated lender limit, and the maximum purchase your down payment may support.

Verify at the sourceFCAC mortgage calculator

Open the published source to confirm the rule and its effective date.

Who to consultA qualified financial planner or mortgage professional

Review household-specific cash flow, risk, financing, and non-financial priorities.

Understand the result

A comparison, not a verdict

The result is highly sensitive to future appreciation, rent growth, transaction costs, and how long you stay.
Owner equity is not the same as profit: it includes the original down payment and principal repayment.
Lifestyle flexibility and risk tolerance are important but cannot be reduced to one number.

Formula and assumptions

Calculations are reproducible and use the published rules linked below. Service-cost amounts are planning allowances, not quotes.

Read the calculation methodology

FAQ

Common questions

Is renting cheaper than buying in Canada?

It depends on the property, rent, financing, ownership costs, price changes, and time horizon. Change the assumptions to see where your comparison turns.

Does the calculator assume house prices always rise?

No. Appreciation is editable and can be set to zero or a negative value.