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Calgary rent vs buy.
How this calculator works
The buy side accumulates the down payment, closing costs, monthly P&I, property tax, maintenance, and the opportunity cost of capital tied up in the home, against the equity built through paydown and appreciation, less selling costs at the end of the period. The rent side accumulates rent paid (escalating annually) plus the opportunity cost of the down payment not invested. The "buying advantage" is the difference. Positive means buying outperforms renting over your chosen horizon; negative means the opposite.
Calgary-specific notes
- Alberta has no land transfer tax, closing costs are roughly 0.6–0.9% of price for a $750K home.
- Long-run Calgary appreciation has averaged 2.5–4% per year over 20 years; segment-by-segment variation is large.
- Inner-city condos have appreciated less consistently than SW/NW detached over the last decade, use a lower assumption for that segment.
- Maintenance for a 1980s detached runs higher than a new SW build; calibrate the maintenance % to your actual property.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Calgary right now?
It depends on horizon, down payment, and segment. Detached homes in SW/NW Calgary at 20% down have generally favoured ownership over 5+ years; inner-city condos less consistently. Use this calculator with realistic assumptions, then talk to Ryan.
How long do I need to stay?
Three to five years is typical break-even after closing, interest, tax, maintenance, and selling costs. Shorter than three years and ownership rarely beats renting.
What appreciation rate should I use?
2–3% is conservative for Calgary; 4–5% is optimistic. Use a range. The market dashboard shows actual longitudinal performance.
Educational. Real outcomes depend on the specific property, your tax situation, your investment alternatives, and market conditions during the holding period.
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