Free Car Lease vs. Buy Calculator
Compare the net cost of leasing against financing a car over the same time period, including the equity you'd build by buying.
Estimates only, not financial advice.
Leasing
Buying
Leasing
Buying
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the cost of buying calculated?
It totals your down payment and loan payments over the lease term you're comparing against, then subtracts the equity you'd have if you sold the car at that point — its estimated resale value minus whatever loan balance remains.
Why compare over the lease term instead of the full loan term?
It's the apples-to-apples window: a leased car is always returned at the end of its term, so comparing both options over that same span shows what each path actually costs if you'd keep the car only that long.
What if I'd keep a financed car much longer than the lease term?
Then buying gets progressively cheaper the longer you keep it, since you avoid starting a whole new lease or loan — this calculator only shows the cost over the one comparison window you enter.
Does this include maintenance or insurance differences?
No — leased cars are typically covered by a factory warranty for the full term, while an owned car may need repairs after its warranty expires. That real-world difference isn't modeled here.
Is this financial advice?
No — this is an estimate for planning purposes only, not financial advice. Actual lease and loan offers vary by lender and dealer.