Recent Calculations
Use this calculator to compare purchasing an automobile with cash vs. leasing. For those fortunate enough to be able to purchase a vehicle without borrowing, it isn't always clear whether this is the best financial option. This calculator compares the costs and the loss of investment income to help you decide which option works better for your finances.
Total purchase price. Price should be after any manufacturer's rebate. This price is used for both the lease and the buy options.
Percentage sales tax to be charged on this purchase. Sales tax is included in each lease payment. Sales tax for buying is charged on the total sale amount.
Rate of return on investments. This is the return that you would make if you were to invest your down payment or security deposit instead of using it in your auto purchase or lease.
La tasa de rendimiento real depende en gran medida de los tipos de inversiones que elija. El índice Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) durante los últimos 10 años que finalizaron el 31 de diciembre de 2025, tuvo una tasa de rendimiento compuesta anual de 14.8 %, con la reinversión de dividendos. Desde el 1 de enero de 1970 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2025, la tasa de rendimiento compuesta anual promedio del S&P 500®, con la reinversión de dividendos, fue aproximadamente del 11.3 % (fuente: www.spglobal.com). Desde 1970, el rendimiento más alto a 12 meses fue del 61 % (desde junio de 1982 hasta junio de 1983). El rendimiento más bajo a 12 meses fue del -43 % (desde marzo de 2008 hasta marzo de 2009). Las cuentas de ahorro en una institución financiera pagan menos, pero conllevan un riesgo significativamente menor de pérdida de saldos de capital.
Es fundamental tener en cuenta que estos escenarios son meramente hipotéticos y que las tasas de rendimiento futuras no pueden preverse con certeza. Además, las inversiones que ofrecen tasas de rendimiento más altas suelen estar expuestas a un mayor riesgo y volatilidad. La tasa real de rendimiento de las inversiones puede variar significativamente con el tiempo, en especial en las inversiones a largo plazo. También puede implicar la posible pérdida de capital invertido. No es posible invertir directamente en un índice y la tasa de rendimiento compuesta mencionada anteriormente no incluye los cargos por ventas ni otras tarifas que imponen los fondos de inversión o las empresas de inversión.
Any fee required to be paid at the time of purchase. This may include license, title transfer fees, etc. These fees are not included in the amount subject to sales tax.
The rate of depreciation gauges how fast your new automobile will lose its market value. A high depreciation rate is about 20% per year, medium is 15% per year and low is 10% per year.
Amount paid as a down payment to reduce your monthly lease payment. For a lease this can also be called a capital reduction.
Value of your auto after the lease term is over.
This is the total cost of buying your vehicle. This is calculated as:
The lost investment earnings on your purchase includes any interest you would have earned at your investment rate of return on the buy option's purchase price and other fees.
Term in months for your auto lease.
Annual interest rate for your lease.
Any fee, other than a capital reduction or down payment, required to be paid at the close of the lease. This may include license, title transfer fees, etc.
For leases, this is remaining value after the lease term expires. The higher this amount, the lower your lease payment will be.
Refundable security deposit required at time of lease. The tool assumes that the security deposit is fully refunded at the time the lease ends.
This is the total cost of leasing your vehicle. This is calculated as:
The lost investment earnings on your lease includes any interest you would have earned at your investment rate of return on the lease option's down payment, security deposit and other fees.