Lease or buy decision tool

Lease vs Buy Car Calculator

Compare the real cost of leasing versus buying after payments, upfront costs, mileage, operating costs, and resale value.

Compare lease and buy costs

Include payments, mileage, ownership costs, and resale value.

Lease

Lease payment$Due at signing$Lease termmoAllowed milesmi/yrOverage fee$Monthly operating cost$

Buy

Vehicle price$Down payment$Trade-in value$APR%Loan termmoExpected resale value$Monthly operating cost$

Comparison periodyrYour annual milesmi/yr

Recommendation

Buy likely costs less

Buying looks cheaper by about $6,482 over 5 years.

Lease total cost: $44,100
Buy net cost: $37,618
Buy monthly payment: $634
Lease overage cost: $0
Cost difference: $6,482

Scenario cost comparison

Lease total$44,100

Buy net cost$37,618

Cost difference$6,482

Leasing can be simpler, but mileage and repeat lease fees matter. Buying depends heavily on resale value and how long you keep the car.

How this calculator works

The lease scenario adds monthly lease payments, due-at-signing costs, repeated lease cycles if your comparison period is longer than the lease term, monthly operating costs, and mileage overage fees. The buy scenario estimates loan payments and subtracts expected resale value at the end of the comparison period.

What can change the answer?

Leasing is sensitive to mileage, fees, and how often you want a new car. Buying is sensitive to APR, resale value, repair costs, and how long you keep the car after the loan is paid off.