Rent or buy: which leaves you richer?

This calculator compares two paths over your loan term. In the first you buy a home with a loan, and your wealth is the home value minus what you still owe. In the second you rent and invest your down payment. Each month you also invest the difference between the EMI and your rent. Enter your rent, home price, down payment and loan terms. Then add your guesses for rent growth, home price growth and investment return. The chart shows both paths and the table lists each year. The break-even year is the first year buying comes out ahead. The model leaves out taxes, maintenance and buying costs. Treat the answer as a guide and try a few cases.