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Compare electric vehicle (EV) charging costs and gas savings, evaluate car loan financing versus vehicle leasing, and analyze driving expenses with instant, accurate calculations.
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10/24/2026Car Loan vs Lease
Car Loan vs Lease
Compare auto loan financing versus car leasing, including monthly payments, equity, and net 3-year cost.
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Finance View:
Popular Vehicle Scenarios:
Vehicle Pricing & Down Payment
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$
Used by lenders to calculate lease residual
$
Agreed price before taxes and discounts
$
Upfront cash or net trade-in value
%
State / local vehicle sales tax rate
Lease Terms & Details
mo
Standard: 36 mos (3 yrs)
%
Value: $23,520
%
Money Factor: 0.00250
$
Typically $595 - $995
$
Lease turn-in fee
Loan (Finance to Own) Terms
mo
Standard: 48, 60, or 72 months
%
Fixed annual percentage rate
Payment & Equity Comparison
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Monthly Cash Flow DifferenceLease Lower Payment
$200/mo
Lease payment is $200/mo lower than loan payment
Monthly Lease (36 mo)$569$532 base + $37 tax
Monthly Loan (60 mo)$769Financing $39,300
True Net Cost at 36 Months (Equity Adjusted)
Accounts for all money paid out minus vehicle resale value retained.
Lease Net Cost$24,374$0 vehicle equity at return
Loan Net Cost$24,924+$6,258 retained equity
Leasing is $550 cheaper overall due to favorable residual incentives and lower financing fees.
| Item | Lease (36 mo) | Loan (60 mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $569 | $769 |
| Total Payments (36 mo) | $20,479 | $27,682 |
| Total Cash Outflow (36 mo) | $24,374 | $31,182 |
| Remaining Loan Balance | $0 (N/A) | $17,262 |
| Retained Equity (36 mo) | $0 | +$6,258 |