Updated regularly
Rent vs buy calculator for Canada
Buying is not automatically better than renting. The right answer depends on how long you stay, the home's appreciation, rent inflation, and the total cost of ownership.
Estima.ca compares both scenarios year by year and shows when — if ever — buying pulls ahead financially.
What ownership actually costs
Beyond the mortgage payment, owning includes property tax, insurance, maintenance (roughly 1% of value per year), condo fees, and closing costs at purchase.
In Quebec, the Welcome Tax (droit de mutation) and notary fees are meaningful upfront costs to include.
Equity vs invested savings
Owners build equity as they pay down principal and as the home appreciates. Renters can invest the difference — the comparison should assume renters actually invest the gap.
FAQ
- How long should I plan to stay to make buying worth it?
- In most Canadian markets, 5+ years is a common break-even threshold, but the calculator gives your specific year.
- Does it include maintenance?
- Yes — a maintenance percentage is applied to the home value each year.
- Are Quebec-specific costs included?
- You can add Welcome Tax and closing costs to reflect a Quebec purchase.