Every money decision has a break-even point
Most calculators ask you to guess the future and then tell you who wins. These work the other way round: they tell you what the future has to look like for each choice to win, so you can judge whether that is likely.
Calculators
- CarsPay cash or finance a carPaying cash avoids interest but the cash stops earning. Which costs less over the time you own the car?The break-evenThe return your cash must earn for financing to come out ahead.Open the calculator
- HomesRent vs buy a homeBuying ties up a down payment that could be invested. What does each choice really cost, and when does buying pull ahead?The break-evenHow fast the home has to grow for buying to beat renting.Open the calculator
- InvestingRental property vs savingsA rental earns rent and might grow, but costs interest, rates and fees. Does it beat leaving the cash in the bank?The break-evenThe yearly price growth the property needs just to match savings.Open the calculator
How these calculators work
Each one compares two choices with the same money over the same period, and counts what the money would have earned had it gone the other way. That is the opportunity cost, and it is the part a simple comparison of prices leaves out.
Every scenario is saved in the page address, so you can bookmark it or send it to someone. The figures are nominal and leave out tax and transaction fees, which vary by country; each calculator says exactly what it includes.