Result
$968.96 lower modeled cost for leasing
Leasing costs $968.96 less across the same 36-month horizon under the entered quote, loan, cost, and resale assumptions. This is not a recommendation or approval.
- Lease cost over the shared horizon
- $19,200.00
- Buy net cost after entered resale value
- $20,168.96
- Modeled purchase loan payment
- $521.99
- Purchase loan balance at the horizon
- $11,777.32
- Entered resale value at the horizon
- $22,000.00
- Lease excess-mileage cost
- $0.00
Planning estimate only. This compares the complete written terms and values entered over one shared horizon. It does not predict approval, resale value, repair cost, early-termination charges, a second lease, future rates, taxes, insurance, or which option is better for you. Read the full disclaimer.
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At a glance
- Cost
- Free
- Login
- Not required
- Best use
- Compare an entered vehicle lease quote with buying over the same horizon, including upfront cash, payments, end charges, remaining loan balance, and estimated resale value.
- Output
- Browser result with print and PDF options
- Reviewed
- 2026-08-09
Result summary
Quick answer
With the sample inputs, this calculator returns $968.96 lower modeled cost for leasing. Lease cost over the shared horizon: $19,200.00. Use $968.96 lower modeled cost for leasing as a planning scenario. Use the result as a same-horizon cash-cost scenario, then verify the written lease and purchase terms, mileage treatment, end charges, and resale assumption before deciding.
This compares written lease and purchase scenarios over one shared period
The calculator totals the lease costs entered through the written lease term and compares them with purchase cash, payments, remaining payoff, selling costs, and estimated end value over that same time horizon. It does not predict resale value, credit approval, early termination, follow-on leasing, or a personal recommendation.
Publisher Published by EverydayCalc Editorial Editorial standards and limitations
Each calculator shows its formula and defines the inputs. Worked examples make the math checkable. The page also names the limits that can change the result.
Last calculation review:
Review scope: formula implementation, example parity, visible assumptions, source links, and result presentation. This is editorial and calculation QA, not professional financial, tax, legal, medical, engineering, or safety review.
Results are estimates based on the inputs provided and the assumptions shown on this page. For financial, tax, legal, medical, or other high-stakes decisions, verify results with a qualified professional or official source.
Instructions
How to use this calculator
Open the short walkthrough for choosing and checking inputs.
Lease cost adds the entered upfront amount, every monthly payment through the written lease term, lease-only monthly costs, excess-mileage charges, and end fees. Buy cost adds upfront cash, modeled loan payments, buy-only monthly costs, the remaining loan payoff and selling costs, then subtracts the entered resale value at that same horizon.
Page guide
On this page
Jump directly to the part of the calculator you need.
Calculation details
Formula and methodology
See the exact math used to produce the result.
Lease cost totals written-term lease cash, payments, lease-only costs, excess-mile charges, and end fees. Purchase net cost totals purchase cash, payments through the same horizon, buy-only costs, remaining payoff, and selling costs, then subtracts estimated end value.
Before acting
Assumptions to check
Review the real-world details that can change the estimate.
Lease cost adds nonrefundable cash due excluding the first payment, each lease payment through the written term, lease-only monthly costs, excess-mile charges, and expected end fees. Purchase cost adds upfront cash, modeled payments over that same horizon, buy-only costs, remaining payoff, and selling costs, then subtracts entered estimated resale value. The rate is a contract annual interest rate, not APR.
More guidance Examples, methodology, and planning checks Open the worked example, review notes, reference tables, and practical next checks.
When to round up
The purchase loan follows a cents-rounded fixed-rate monthly schedule using the written amount financed and contract interest rate, not APR. Avoid double-counting either first payment in upfront cash. The model assumes the full written lease term and does not model early termination or a follow-on lease.
When to use this calculator
- Comparing a written lease with a purchase over the lease's stated term
- Making cash due, periodic payments, end charges, remaining payoff, and estimated end value visible
- Testing how excess mileage, resale value, or one option's unique monthly costs change an entered comparison
Tips for better estimates
- Copy cash due and payment figures from written offers rather than advertisements.
- Exclude the first payment from upfront cash if it is already included in the monthly-payment count.
- Use a conservative estimated end value and test a lower resale scenario before relying on the purchase comparison.
How this calculator is reviewed
This page is checked for inputs, formulas, examples, assumptions, topic fit, and related links. For this calculator, the review also covers the same time horizon, written lease costs, first-payment treatment, expected excess miles and end fees, purchase cash and payment schedule, remaining loan payoff, estimated end value, and excluded early-termination or follow-on-lease assumptions.
The sample result is covered by automated tests, and the page links to related calculators and, where available, supporting guides so readers can check the assumptions before acting. If a formula, label, or assumption looks off, send the page URL and your inputs through the contact page.
Sources to verify assumptions
Use these official and consumer-reference sources to check the terms and rules behind the inputs. The calculator result still depends on the values and method you select.
Worked example
Example inputs: Written lease term and comparison horizon: 36 months; Quoted lease payment including tax: $450 /month; Lease upfront cost excluding first payment: $2500; Lease-only monthly costs not in payment: $0 /month; Lease disposition and expected end fees: $500; Expected excess lease miles: 0 miles; Excess-mileage charge: $0.25 /mile; Written purchase amount financed: $27000; Purchase upfront cash excluding first payment: $7500; Purchase loan contract annual interest rate: 6 %; Purchase loan term: 60 months; Buy-only monthly costs not in payment: $100 /month; Estimated vehicle value at the horizon: $22000; Estimated selling or trade costs: $500. With those values, the calculator returns $968.96 lower modeled cost for leasing. Leasing costs $968.96 less across the same 36-month horizon under the entered quote, loan, cost, and resale assumptions. This is not a recommendation or approval.
Example scenarios
- A 36-month lease comparison counts all 36 entered payments, lease-only monthly costs, expected excess-mile charges, and end fees.
- A purchase comparison over the same 36 months counts purchase cash and payments through month 36, then includes the remaining payoff and subtracts estimated end value.
- If a longer purchase loan still has a balance after the lease term, that remaining payoff belongs in the same-horizon comparison.
Quick reference chart
| Sample result | $968.96 lower modeled cost for leasing |
|---|---|
| Lease cost over the shared horizon | $19,200.00 |
| Buy net cost after entered resale value | $20,168.96 |
| Modeled purchase loan payment | $521.99 |
| Purchase loan balance at the horizon | $11,777.32 |
| Best next step | Collect both written quotes, make the first-payment treatment consistent, and compare the same time horizon. Review mileage, end fees, estimated equity, and contract terms before choosing. |
FAQs
Lease vs Buy Calculator questions
Why use the written lease term as the horizon?
The calculator counts the lease's entered end fees at the written lease end and compares the purchase over exactly that same period. It does not model early termination or a second lease.
How is purchase equity handled?
The entered resale value reduces the purchase cost while the remaining loan balance increases it. The calculator does not predict resale value or guarantee a trade offer.
What belongs in lease upfront cost?
Enter nonrefundable cash due at signing other than the first monthly payment, because the calculator counts all monthly payments separately. Exclude refundable deposits unless you expect to lose them.
Does the lower modeled cost mean I should choose it?
No. Mileage needs, wear rules, flexibility, ownership preferences, repair risk, credit terms, and future vehicle value remain personal and contract-specific decisions.
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Common planning mistakes
Comparing monthly payments instead of complete written costs, using different time horizons, counting the first lease payment twice, omitting excess-mile or end fees, treating estimated resale value as guaranteed, and assuming the lower entered total decides the personal choice.
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If this calculator helps a blog post, classroom resource, forum answer, seasonal guide, or local planning page, link to the canonical calculator URL so readers can run their own numbers and check the assumptions.
EverydayCalc.org, "Lease vs Buy Calculator", last updated August 9, 2026, https://everydaycalc.org/calculators/lease-vs-buy-calculator/Was this calculator helpful?
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