Car Lease vs Buy Total Cost Calculator
Lease Option
Purchase Option
After loan is paid off
Shared Annual Costs
How to Use This Calculator
Compare the total cost of leasing versus buying a vehicle over the same period. This calculator accounts for all major costs including payments, fees, operating expenses, and resale value.
Key Considerations:
- Leasing: Lower monthly payments but no equity; best for those who want new cars frequently
- Buying: Build equity, no restrictions, but higher upfront and monthly costs
- Operating costs (insurance, maintenance, fuel) are the same for both options
- Buying assumes you sell the car after the loan term and recoup resale value
Note: This comparison is financial only. Consider lifestyle, mileage needs, and personal preferences.
Use this car lease vs buy total cost calculator to compute vehicle ownership results from your inputs.
Formula
Lease total = Down payment + Acquisition fee + (Monthly payment × Months) + Disposition fee + (Insurance + Maintenance + Fuel) × Years Buy monthly = (Purchase - Down) × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1] Buy total = Down payment + (Monthly × Months) + (Insurance + Maintenance + Fuel) × Years - Resale value Difference = Buy total - Lease total