Car Lease vs Buy Calculator - Total Cost Comparison | Financial Calculator
Free car lease vs buy calculator. Compare total cost of buying vs leasing a car including loan payments, insurance, maintenance, and residual value. Make the smarter choice.
How to Use
- Car Price — Enter the full purchase price of the car you are considering
- Buy Details — Enter your down payment, loan interest rate, loan term, annual insurance and maintenance costs, and estimated residual value at end of ownership
- Lease Details — Enter the monthly lease payment, lease down payment, lease term, and annual insurance and maintenance costs
- Calculate — Click Calculate to see total cost for buying vs leasing and which option saves you more money
FAQ
What costs are included in the buy total?
The buy total includes your down payment, all loan payments (principal + interest), annual insurance and maintenance multiplied by the comparison period, minus the estimated residual (resale) value of the car.
What costs are included in the lease total?
The lease total includes any upfront lease down payment, all monthly lease payments over the lease term, and annual insurance and maintenance multiplied by the comparison period.
Why does buying sometimes cost less than leasing?
After the loan is paid off, a bought car has no further payments and retains residual value. Leasing means perpetual payments with no asset at the end. Over a longer horizon, buying is often cheaper — but leasing offers lower monthly costs and flexibility.