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Buy vs Lease Cost Breakdown

Buy vs lease cost breakdown in the US—total cost over 3–5 years so you see which option costs more.

AutoPremo Team
January 31, 2026
2 min read

A buy vs. lease cost breakdown in the U.S. compares total cost of buying (payment, interest, down, eventual sale/trade) vs. leasing (payments, fees, no equity) over the same period. Here's a buy vs. lease cost breakdown so you can decide with data.

TL;DR Buy: payment + interest + down – resale/trade value = net cost. Lease: payments + fees + nothing at end = net cost. Compare over same period (e.g., 3 or 5 years). Use autopremo.com lease vs buy calculator to see the breakdown. Use autopremo.com.

Buy Cost Breakdown

Down payment + monthly payments (principal + interest) over term. At end: you own the car; subtract resale or trade value to get net cost. Use autopremo.com payment calculator and depreciation to estimate. Get your numbers at autopremo.com.

Lease Cost Breakdown

Due at signing + monthly payments × term + disposition fee if you don't buy. At end: no equity. Total cost = all payments + fees. Use autopremo.com lease calculator. See lease at autopremo.com.

Compare Side by Side

Same car, same period (e.g., 3 years). Run buy scenario (payments, then sell/trade value) vs. lease (payments, fees). Use autopremo.com lease vs buy calculator to see the breakdown. Check buy vs lease at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Buy vs. lease cost breakdown = compare total cost over the same period. Use autopremo.com lease vs buy calculator so you see which option costs more and decide with data.

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