Finance
Enter the vehicle price, financing details, and lease terms to compare total out-of-pocket costs for buying versus leasing over the same period.
Live calculator output
Enter vehicle and financing details to compare lease vs. buy costs.
The buy cost is the total of all loan payments (principal + interest) plus the down payment, minus the estimated residual value of the vehicle at the end of the comparison period. The loan payment uses the standard amortization formula.
The lease cost is the total of all monthly lease payments plus any upfront costs (deposit, first payment). At lease end, you own nothing — the vehicle is returned. The difference between the two totals shows which option is cheaper over the chosen period.
Vehicle price: 30,000. Buy: 6,000 down, 4.9% interest, 48-month loan → monthly payment ≈ 549, total paid ≈ 32,352. Residual value after 4 years ≈ 15,000. Net buy cost: 17,352.
Lease: 395/month for 48 months, 1,200 upfront. Total lease cost: 20,160. In this scenario, buying is 2,808 cheaper over 4 years — and you own the vehicle at the end.
Yes. If you change vehicles frequently, use the vehicle for business (where lease payments may be tax-deductible), or want to avoid depreciation risk on a vehicle that loses value quickly, leasing can be the better choice.
The calculator subtracts the residual value from the total buy cost because you still own an asset worth that amount. If you sell the vehicle, you recover that value. A higher residual value makes buying more attractive.
No. These costs vary widely and should be factored in separately. Leases sometimes include maintenance packages; owned vehicles carry all maintenance costs yourself.
Residual value varies significantly by make, model, and mileage. Many mainstream cars retain 40–55% of their original value after 4 years. Luxury brands and electric vehicles can vary considerably more.
Yes, but this calculator does not model it directly. Lease agreements typically cap annual mileage at 10,000–15,000 miles (16,000–24,000 km). Excess mileage attracts per-mile or per-km charges depending on the contract. High annual mileage generally favours buying.
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