How to Use
- 1.
Enter the vehicle price, down payment, use period, mileage, and currency.
- 2.
Add loan, tax, trade-in, maintenance, insurance, and resale assumptions for buying.
- 3.
Add lease payment or money factor, residual, mileage allowance, deposit, insurance, and end fees.
- 4.
Review total costs, monthly payments, equity, difference, break-even point, and charts.
- 5.
Copy, share, or print the transparent comparison.
Features
Total buy versus lease comparison
Loan payment and remaining balance
Resale equity and depreciation
Mileage and lease-end fees
Quoted payment or money-factor mode
Break-even and cumulative cost chart
Cost breakdown visuals
Currency, sharing, copy, and print-to-PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Is leasing or buying cheaper?+
It depends on the complete offers and how long you keep the vehicle. Enter both options over the same period to compare estimated costs.
Does the calculator include resale value?+
Yes. Estimated resale value minus the remaining loan balance becomes owner equity and reduces the economic cost of buying.
What is a lease money factor?+
It is a decimal finance charge used in many leases. Multiply it by about 2,400 for a rough APR equivalent.
How are mileage charges estimated?+
Mileage above the annual allowance is multiplied by the entered charge and selected use period.
What is the break-even point?+
It is the first estimated month when buying falls below leasing after previously costing more.
Is this financial advice?+
No. Verify taxes, incentives, insurance, maintenance, mileage, residual, fees, and official payment terms.
About this tool
Free Lease vs Buy Calculator
Use the WebToolsEdge Lease vs Buy Calculator to compare vehicle leasing and financing over the same ownership horizon. The calculation includes down payment, loan interest, trade-in, taxes, registration, maintenance growth, insurance, resale equity, monthly lease payments, money factor, residual value, mileage charges, security deposit, disposition fee, and wear-and-tear costs. Buying creates an asset, so this comparison deducts estimated owner equity from cash costs instead of treating the vehicle as worthless. Leasing normally creates no vehicle equity, but it can provide more flexibility for people who change vehicles frequently. The cumulative chart estimates whether buying becomes cheaper during the selected period, while the cost bars and breakdown charts make major cost categories easier to compare. Enter the monthly payment from a lease quote or estimate it with the money factor and residual value. Add realistic annual mileage because excess-mileage charges can materially change a lease. Use the transparent assumptions summary to review exactly what the calculator included before comparing the result with official dealer and lender offers. For related planning, use the Car Loan Calculator for a full finance schedule, the Fuel Cost Calculator for driving expenses, the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator for affordability, and the Savings Goal Calculator for a down payment plan. This tool is an educational estimate, not financial advice.
If buying looks competitive, inspect the finance offer and repayment schedule with the Car Loan Calculator. Add recurring travel costs through the Fuel Cost Calculator, check whether the payment fits household income using the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator, or plan the initial cash with the Savings Goal Calculator.