NZ rent vs buy calculator

Should you rent longer or buy your first home?

Compare a realistic buying scenario against renting and investing the deposit. Built for New Zealand first-home buyers who need a fast sanity check before talking to a mortgage adviser.

Information only — not financial advice. Use these estimates to prepare better questions before speaking with a lender, lawyer, or regulated adviser.Tune the numbers for your city/suburb

Estimated result after 7 years

Renting is ahead by $37,954

This compares projected home equity after selling costs with a renter investing the deposit and any annual cash-flow difference. It is a planning estimate only, not financial advice.

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Buyer net position

$360,732

Renter investment position

$398,686

Monthly mortgage payment

$3,982

What this model includes

  • • Mortgage repayments, remaining loan balance, and estimated sale costs.
  • • Rates, insurance/body-corp, and a maintenance allowance.
  • • Deposit and surplus cash invested if you keep renting.
  • • Property-growth and investment-return sensitivity.

Borrowing power

Test an illustrative borrowing range using your inputs, then verify lender-specific criteria independently.

Get the buyer pack

Use the checklist, inspection questions, and finance prep before viewing homes.

Need to save your questions?

Record a first-party FHBG request without selecting or contacting a provider.

Save buyer request