New Jersey planning worksheet

Compare the rent and purchase scenarios you enter

This worksheet does not choose for you. It applies the same stated formulas to your own costs, rates and time horizon, then shows both modeled net cash outflows side by side.

Before you enter numbers

Every field is blank on purpose. There is no built-in appreciation, rent growth, investment return, maintenance allowance, sale cost or break-even period. Enter zero where an item does not apply. Use property-specific quotes and documents rather than a statewide average.

Rent vs buy scenario worksheet

Dollar figures are nominal. Percentages are annual rates. Required fields are marked “required.”

Purchase and financing

Purchase price ($) — required

Down payment ($) — required

Annual mortgage interest rate (%) — requiredUse the rate from a current lender quote.

Mortgage term (whole years) — required

Planned comparison period (whole years) — requiredMust not exceed the mortgage term.

Buyer closing costs ($) — requiredUse the current Loan Estimate; enter zero only if none.

Ongoing ownership and exit scenario

Average annual property tax ($) — required

Average annual homeowners insurance ($) — required

Average monthly HOA/association dues ($) — required

Average annual maintenance and repairs ($) — required

Average monthly mortgage insurance ($) — required

Assumed annual home-value change (%) — requiredThis is your scenario assumption, not a forecast.

Seller exit costs at the end ($) — requiredEnter the total you want to model; no percentage is inserted.

Rental and alternative-investment scenario

Starting monthly rent ($) — required

Assumed annual rent change (%) — required

Average monthly renters insurance ($) — required

Other nonrefundable renter costs over the period ($) — required

Renter's day-one alternative investment ($) — requiredOnly enter money you actually want this scenario to treat as invested.

Assumed annual investment return (%) — requiredThis is your assumption, not a guaranteed return.

Formulas this worksheet uses

Mortgage

principal = purchase price − down payment
monthly P&I = standard fixed-rate amortization using your rate and term
remaining balance = amortized principal after your planned whole-month period

Purchase net cash outflow

down payment + buyer closing costs + P&I payments + entered taxes + entered insurance + entered HOA + entered maintenance + entered mortgage insurance − (assumed future home value − remaining balance − entered seller exit costs)

Rental net cash outflow

annual rent stream using your rent-change rate + renters insurance + entered nonrefundable costs + starting alternative investment − assumed ending investment

The difference is purchase net cash outflow minus rental net cash outflow. A positive number means the purchase scenario has the larger modeled outflow; a negative number means the rental scenario has the larger modeled outflow. It does not identify a universally better choice.

Limitations to review before relying on a scenario

Results are nominal dollars and do not adjust for inflation or the timing of each cash flow.
The worksheet does not predict home value, rent, repairs, investment performance, taxes, insurance, marketability or sale timing.
It excludes tax deductions, capital-gains consequences, moving costs, refundable deposits and any item you do not explicitly enter.
It assumes one fixed-rate amortizing mortgage and annual compounding for the rates you enter.
The model compounds only the user-entered day-one alternative investment; it does not automatically invest monthly rent-versus-purchase cost differences, and it does not model investment taxes or fees.
Compare homes of similar utility and rerun pessimistic, middle and optimistic assumptions. There is no universal break-even period.

This is an educational planning worksheet, not financial advice, tax advice or legal advice. Confirm loan figures with a lender and tax or legal questions with the appropriate licensed professional.

Where to get property-specific inputs

Sources checked August 27, 2026. Quotes, taxes and costs can change; use current documents for the property and loan you are considering.

Want to compare actual New Jersey properties?

Jorge can help you gather listing, tax and town context while your lender supplies loan-specific figures. The decision remains yours.

Contact Jorge Call 908-230-7844