Lease vs Buy Calculator

↻ Updated 2026

Should you lease or buy? Compare the total cash cost of each option over the lease term, accounting for payments, the loan you'd still owe, and the car's resale value if you buy.

Educational calculators — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

Your inputs

Vehicle price

Lease

Monthly lease payment

Lease term

Lease due at signing

Buy

Loan interest rate

Loan term

Down payment

Car value after 36 mo

Estimated resale / residual value

Leasing wins

$2,418

cheaper over 36 months

Net cost to lease

$18,700

nothing owned after

Net cost to buy

$21,118

after resale value

Total cost over 36 months

leasebuy

Buying, step by step

Down payment$5,000

Payments (36 × $653)$23,524

Loan still owed+ $14,595

Car resale value− $22,000

Net cost of buying$21,118

ASSUMPTIONS — Compares total cash cost over the lease term. Buying assumes you sell (or keep the equity in) the car at the end, so its cost is cash paid plus any loan still owed, minus the car's value. Leasing leaves you with nothing at term end. Sales tax is assumed to be reflected in the payments and price you enter. Excludes mileage-overage fees, wear charges, insurance and maintenance differences. Data year 2026.

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Sources & rate references

·Standard auto-loan amortization

Rates, brackets and limits here are checked against primary sources. If a number still looks off, email support@realmoneyiq.com and we'll review and fix it.

RealMoneyIQ provides free educational calculators, not financial, tax, investment or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and publicly published rates; your actual outcome will differ. Always confirm decisions with a licensed professional who knows your full situation.