Vehicle & Transportation Calculators
Buy vs. Lease Auto Calculator
Compare the total cost of buying versus leasing a vehicle, including payments, down payments, fees, insurance, maintenance, mileage, resale value, and end-of-term costs.
A lower lease payment can look appealing, but the full comparison depends on down payments, mileage limits, financing, insurance, maintenance, resale value, and what happens at the end of the term. This calculator compares buying and leasing side by side using your assumptions.
Educational estimate only. This calculator is not financial, tax, legal, insurance, vehicle-buying, leasing, or professional advice.
Use the same vehicle or similar vehicles for the cleanest comparison. Preference values are optional and separate from hard cost totals.
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Use the same vehicle or similar vehicles for the cleanest comparison.
Buying details
Buying may have a higher monthly payment, but resale value and equity can change the total-cost picture.
Leasing details
Leases can have lower monthly payments, but mileage limits and end-of-lease charges matter.
End-of-term assumptions
Preference values are optional and separate from hard cost totals.
Optional. Enter a dollar value if flexibility, lower commitment, or always driving a newer car is worth something to you.
Optional. Enter a dollar value if ownership, no mileage limits, or long-term keeping is worth something to you.
Scenario presets
Use a preset to move quickly, then edit the numbers. Presets replace assumptions rather than compounding them.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy or lease a car?+
It depends on price, financing, lease terms, mileage, insurance, maintenance, resale value, and how long you keep the vehicle. This calculator compares those assumptions side by side.
Why can leasing have a lower monthly payment?+
Lease payments often cover the vehicle's expected depreciation during the lease instead of the full purchase price, but fees and end-of-term costs still matter.
Does this calculator include mileage limits?+
Yes. Enter annual miles, the lease mileage allowance, and the excess mileage fee to estimate possible mileage charges.
How does resale value affect the buy option?+
Estimated resale value is used to calculate the buy option's end-of-term equity after any remaining loan balance.
What happens if I drive more than the lease allows?+
The calculator estimates excess mileage charges using the miles above the allowance and the entered fee per mile.
Does this calculator include insurance?+
Yes. You can enter separate monthly insurance assumptions for buying and leasing.
Should I include a lease buyout?+
Include a buyout if you want to compare the cost of purchasing the leased vehicle at the end of the lease. The calculator does not determine whether a buyout is a good offer.
Is this vehicle-buying advice?+
No. This calculator is for educational estimates only and is not financial, tax, legal, insurance, vehicle-buying, leasing, or professional advice.