Financial Model · 2026
Rent or buy, decisively.
A full cost comparison across the UK and France — mortgage amortisation, stamp duty, notaire fees, opportunity cost of capital. Break-even is where buying's net wealth overtakes renting's.
Break-even
4 yr 6 mo
Buying wins. Buy if you expect to stay more than 4 yr 6 mo.
Monthly — buy
£3,202
£2,288 mortgage + all costs
Monthly — rent
£2,385
£2,200 rent + insurance
Upfront — buy
£99,300
£78,750 deposit + £20,550 fees
Net wealth over time
Whoever's monthly cost is lower invests the surplus at 6.5% annually. Green overtakes coral at break-even.
Cumulative cash out
Total money flowing out the door (principal included).
Where the money goes — over 30 years
Plus £446,250 in principal — forced savings, not a cost. Property worth £1,289,842 at year 30.
No equity built — but your surplus grows to £1,014,275 at 6.5%/yr.
Year-by-year projection
Positive advantage = buying ahead| Yr | Rent (mo) | Buy (yr) | Rent (yr) | Home value | Mortgage | Net equity | Buyer wealth | Renter wealth | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £2,200 | £38,425 | £28,620 | £540,968 | £439,178 | £88,267 | £88,267 | £113,398 | -£25,131 |
| 2 | £2,277 | £38,587 | £29,544 | £557,422 | £431,773 | £111,714 | £111,714 | £130,359 | -£18,645 |
| 3 | £2,357 | £38,754 | £30,500 | £574,377 | £424,020 | £135,997 | £135,997 | £147,638 | -£11,641 |
| 4 | £2,439 | £38,926 | £31,490 | £591,847 | £415,903 | £161,148 | £161,148 | £165,227 | -£4,079 |
| 5 ★ | £2,525 | £39,103 | £32,515 | £609,849 | £407,405 | £187,198 | £187,198 | £183,116 | +£4,081 |
| 6 | £2,613 | £39,285 | £33,575 | £628,398 | £398,507 | £214,181 | £214,181 | £201,294 | +£12,886 |
| 7 | £2,704 | £39,473 | £34,672 | £647,511 | £389,192 | £242,132 | £242,132 | £219,748 | +£22,384 |
| 8 | £2,799 | £39,667 | £35,808 | £667,206 | £379,439 | £271,087 | £271,087 | £238,461 | +£32,626 |
| 9 | £2,897 | £39,867 | £36,984 | £687,500 | £369,227 | £301,085 | £301,085 | £257,416 | +£43,669 |
| 10 | £2,998 | £40,072 | £38,200 | £708,411 | £358,536 | £332,164 | £332,164 | £276,594 | +£55,570 |
| 15 | £3,561 | £41,199 | £44,954 | £822,902 | £297,057 | £505,272 | £513,944 | £383,585 | +£130,360 |
| 20 | £4,230 | £42,508 | £52,974 | £955,896 | £219,713 | £712,286 | £768,759 | £530,427 | +£238,332 |
| 25 | £5,023 | £44,028 | £62,500 | £1,110,385 | £122,411 | £960,215 | £1,126,821 | £733,484 | +£393,337 |
| 30 | £5,966 | £45,793 | £73,814 | £1,289,842 | £0 | £1,257,596 | £1,629,014 | £1,014,275 | +£614,739 |
Tax rates and thresholds current as of April 2026. This model is for informational purposes — consult a regulated advisor before committing.