🇨🇦 Canada 2026 Rules

Rent vs Buy:
When Does Buying Make Sense?

Not just "should you?" but "when should you?" Real Canadian math with FHSA strategy, CMHC thresholds, provincial LTT, and honest wealth comparison.

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Your Situation
Province
Home Purchase Price$500,000
Monthly Rent$2,000
Down Payment$50,000 (10.0%)
CMHC insurance required
How long will you stay?10 years
This is the most important variable. Slide it and watch the verdict change.
Mortgage Rate4.49%
Compare fixed vs variable ↗
Amortization
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Income & Qualification
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Gross Household Income (annual)
Monthly Debts (car, student loan, credit cards)
Monthly Heating
Condo Fees (if applicable)
Monthly Savings Rate (toward down payment)
Used for the "buying timeline" - how fast your down payment grows if you wait.
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YOUR VERDICT
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⚙️ Adjust appreciation, returns, and other assumptions
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Monthly Cost Breakdown

🔑 Renting

🏠 Buying

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Day One Reality - What Buying Costs Upfront
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The Wealth Race
Buyer Net Wealth Renter Net Wealth
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The Discipline Factor

Would you actually invest the money you save by renting? Be honest. This changes everything.

Investment Discipline40%
At 0%, buying almost always wins because it forces savings. At 100%, renting can compete.
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Your Buying Timeline

If now isn't the right time, here's when it could be - based on your savings rate and FHSA strategy.

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Rent vs Mortgage Over Time

Your mortgage payment stays fixed. Your rent doesn't.

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Year-by-Year Breakdown
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Advanced Assumptions
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Home Appreciation3%/yr
Investment Return6%/yr
Annual Rent Increase2.5%
Property Tax Rate0.70%
Maintenance1.5%/yr
Realtor Commission (selling)5%
Investment Account
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Beyond the Math

Check what applies to you. Not everything is a spreadsheet.

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or mortgage advice. Calculations use simplified assumptions including constant appreciation rates and investment returns, which do not reflect real market volatility. CMHC premiums, LTT rates, FHSA/HBP rules, and stress test parameters are current as of February 2026 but may change. Consult a licensed mortgage broker and financial advisor before making housing decisions.

This calculator was built by a mortgage broker. We make money when you buy. We built it honest anyway - because good advice builds better relationships than bad sales.