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Lease vs Buy Calculator

Compare lease cost versus buying over the same term with resale value and upfront costs.

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Inputs

months
$
$/mo
$
$/mo
$

Your values stay on this device.

Results

Lower Estimated Cost
Lease Total Cost$18,120.00
Buy Net Cost$3,820.00
Estimated Difference$14,300.00

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Assumptions

  • All prices, fees, rates, and vehicle assumptions are user-entered.
  • Calculations run locally in your browser and are not stored by Calwarden.
  • This is planning math, not financial, tax, insurance, legal, or mechanical advice.

Sensitivity preview

Comparison Term -10%: Lower Estimated Cost Buy is lower

Comparison Term Current: Lower Estimated Cost Buy is lower

Comparison Term +10%: Lower Estimated Cost Buy is lower

Formula: Lease total = due at signing + payments + end fees. Buy net cost = down payment + payments + fees - resale value.

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About this Lease vs Buy Calculator

Lease-versus-buy math compares total cash out over the same term, with ownership equity or resale value reducing buy cost.

Who this calculator is for

  • Drivers comparing vehicle ownership costs.
  • EV and hybrid shoppers testing real-world assumptions.
  • Households budgeting trips, maintenance, insurance, and commuting.

When to use it

  • Compare car cost scenarios before buying, leasing, or driving.
  • Turn miles, rates, prices, and vehicle specs into transparent estimates.
  • Check a practical assumption before a trip, tire change, or ownership decision.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter vehicle-specific values from quotes, labels, bills, or your own records.
  2. Replace defaults with local prices, tax rates, insurance assumptions, and usage.
  3. Review the primary result, then change one input at a time to compare scenarios.

Key assumptions

  • All prices, fees, rates, and vehicle assumptions are user-entered.
  • Calculations run locally in your browser and are not stored by Calwarden.
  • This is planning math, not financial, tax, insurance, legal, or mechanical advice.

Dataset sources

EV efficiency planning presets
Effective date
2026-05-05
Last reviewed
2026-05-05

Actual EV efficiency varies with speed, temperature, tires, terrain, battery age, and driving behavior.

Curated planning presets derived from public vehicle-efficiency references and rounded for calculator use.

EV model battery and efficiency planning presets
Effective date
2026-05-06
Last reviewed
2026-05-06

Battery capacity, usable capacity, rated range, and real efficiency vary by trim, model year, temperature, software, tires, speed, and battery condition.

Public vehicle-efficiency references and manufacturer specifications summarized as rounded planning presets.

Accuracy and testing

Review formula sources, default test cases, assumptions, unit handling, rounding rules, and changelog for this calculator.

View accuracy page

How this calculator works

Lease cost = due at signing + lease payments + lease fees. Buy net cost = down payment + loan payments + fees - resale value.
Lease total = due at signing + payments + end fees. Buy net cost = down payment + payments + fees - resale value.

Inputs explained

Vehicle inputs

Use your actual vehicle specs, loan quote, lease offer, tire size, or efficiency where possible.

Cost inputs

Enter local fuel, electricity, insurance, registration, and maintenance assumptions.

Usage inputs

Annual miles, commute days, trip miles, and rideshare hours should reflect your real driving pattern.

Understanding your results

Results are planning estimates. Real-world driving, taxes, fees, weather, terrain, battery condition, insurance underwriting, and vehicle rules can materially change outcomes.

Example scenarios

Practical scenario

A 36-month lease can be compared with 36 months of loan payments and an estimated resale value at month 36.

Key Features

  • Instant Calculation
  • Private & Secure
  • Mobile Optimized

Tips & Best Practices

  • Use all-in prices when bills separate taxes, delivery, service fees, or surcharges.
  • Run conservative and optimistic cases before making a purchase or trip decision.
  • Confirm fitment, payload, towing, and safety-critical results with vehicle documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this include mileage penalties?
Only if you enter them as lease end fees or extra lease costs.
Does this include taxes?
Include taxes in the monthly payment, upfront costs, or fees if they apply to your quote.
What about keeping the car after the loan term?
This compares a matching analysis term. Extend the term or adjust resale value for longer ownership.