Should I buy or rent?
Pick a Central Ohio ZIP and we compare the median rent today against the estimated monthly payment to buy the median home there. It's a snapshot of the monthly numbers as they stand right now, not a forecast.
Enter a Central Ohio ZIP to compare the median rent against the estimated payment to buy the median home there.
Weighing the move? Talk through your numbers with a local expert.
The rent figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) median for the whole ZIP; the buy figure estimates principal and interest on our at the down payment and rate shown. Both are ZIP-wide medians. A specific home or lease can sit well above or below them.
We compare principal and interest against rent only. Owning also carries property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, while renting builds no equity. This tool answers “what does each cost per month right now,” not the longer breakeven question of which comes out ahead over years.
The monthly gap is a starting point; a conversation weighs your timeline, tax picture, and the specific homes you're watching.