LAKıVE
Rent or Buy? The Math by Occupation.
Whether buying makes financial sense depends on your salary, your city, and how long you plan to stay. This tool runs a year-by-year simulation comparing the net worth of an owner vs a renter — for your specific occupation and city.
Median 2-Bedroom Home · Vancouver
$1,215,000Down payment required: $243,000
Renting
$3,120/mo
Rent: $3,100
Insurance: $20/mo
Down payment → invests at 6%/yr
Insurance: $20/mo
Down payment → invests at 6%/yr
Owning
$6,849/mo
Mortgage: $5,403
Property tax: $284
Maintenance: $1,013
Insurance: $150
Property tax: $284
Maintenance: $1,013
Insurance: $150
Monthly cost of owning vs renting+$3,729/mo
Breakeven Point
Good case for buying
8
years to stay
Net Worth Over Time — Owner vs Renter
Owner equity
Renter investments
Yr 1
Yr 5
Yr 10
Yr 15
Yr 20
Yr 25
Yr 30
Brighter bar = higher net worth that year. Assumptions: 3.5% home appreciation, 3% annual rent increase, 5.5% investment return, 2.5% transaction costs at purchase.
All Cities — Software Engineer
Quick Guide
Renting makes sense if…
- You plan to stay less than 8 years
- You want flexibility to move
- You can invest the down payment
- Your career is still in transition
Buying makes sense if…
- You plan to stay 8+ years
- You want stable housing costs
- You value building equity
- You have the down payment ready
Model Assumptions
Mortgage rate
4.5% fixed
Amortization
25 years
Down payment
20%
Home appreciation
3.5%/yr
Annual rent increase
3%/yr
Investment return
5.5%/yr
Maintenance
1%/yr of home value
Transaction costs
2.5% of home price
Property
2-bedroom condo/home
Home prices are based on median benchmark prices for each city (H1 2026). Transaction costs include land transfer tax, legal fees, and inspection (~2.5% of purchase price). This model is a simplified financial comparison and does not account for individual tax situations, condo fees, or market timing. It is for educational purposes only and not financial advice.