Free finance calculator

Auto Lease vs Buy Calculator

Compare the estimated cost of leasing a vehicle with buying one, including loan payments, resale value, lease fees, mileage overage, and maintenance.

Lease cost estimate
Loan balance and resale value
Mileage overage
Cost breakdown

Vehicle and loan details

Enter purchase, lease, and mileage assumptions

Purchase details

Vehicle price Sales tax Purchase fees Down payment Loan APR Loan term Resale value after period Owned vehicle maintenance per month

Lease details

Lease monthly payment Lease due at signing Lease fees Lease disposition fee Lease maintenance per month

Mileage and comparison

Comparison period Annual mileage allowance Expected annual miles Overage cost per mile Investment return per year

Sales tax, resale value, loan APR, and investment return are entered as percentages. This simplified estimate compares one lease-style period with buying and selling or valuing the vehicle at the end of that period.

Comparison result

Estimated lower-cost option

Estimated advantage $0

Enter your details to compare leasing and buying.

Buying net cost: $0
Leasing net cost: $0
Estimated loan payment: $0/mo
Estimated resale value: $0
Remaining loan balance: $0
Lease mileage overage: $0
Upfront cash difference: $0

Cost breakdown

Total buyer cash paid: $0
Vehicle equity after period: $0
Total lease payments: $0
Lease fees and end costs: $0
Invested upfront savings: $0

Estimate only. Vehicle prices, lease terms, taxes, fees, maintenance, and resale values vary widely.

How to use this auto lease vs buy calculator

Enter the vehicle price, loan terms, lease payment, lease fees, expected mileage, and resale estimate. The calculator compares the estimated net cost of buying with the estimated net cost of leasing over the comparison period.

What the lease vs buy result means

Buying is credited for the vehicle equity left after the comparison period. Leasing includes monthly lease payments, due-at-signing cash, lease fees, disposition cost, maintenance, and estimated mileage overage.

Factor Leasing tends to favor Buying tends to favor

Mileage Predictable driving below the allowance. High-mileage commuting, road trips, or gig use.

Ownership horizon Replacing the vehicle every few years. Keeping the vehicle after the loan is paid off.

Flexibility Stable needs during the lease term. Selling, modifying, moving, or changing usage plans.

End-of-term risk Accepting wear, mileage, and return-condition rules. Accepting resale value and repair-cost uncertainty.

Why mileage matters when leasing

Many leases include a mileage allowance. Driving more than the allowance can add a per-mile charge at lease return, which can meaningfully change the comparison for commuters, road trips, and gig work.

What this calculator does not include

This estimate does not include insurance differences, registration renewal changes, early termination fees, excess wear charges, tax rules that vary by state, manufacturer incentives, or the value of owning a vehicle beyond the comparison period.

Before signing, compare the calculator result against the actual lease worksheet, buyer's order, finance contract, mileage terms, wear policy, and insurance quote. Small differences in due-at-signing cash, residual value, acquisition fees, or trade-in treatment can change the result.

When leasing can make sense

Leasing can be attractive when you drive predictable mileage, want a newer vehicle every few years, and prefer lower monthly payments over long-term ownership. It can also help if warranty coverage during the lease term matters more to you than building equity in the car.

The tradeoff is flexibility. If your commute changes, you add road trips, or you decide to exit early, lease charges can erase the monthly-payment advantage. That is why mileage and due-at-signing cash are separated in this calculator.

When buying can be better

Buying often becomes stronger when you keep a vehicle after the loan is paid off, drive more than a typical lease allowance, or want the freedom to sell, modify, or keep the car as long as it remains reliable. The calculator credits the buyer for estimated resale value because ownership leaves an asset at the end of the comparison period.