Tesla Lease vs Buy Calculator: Which Costs Less for You?
Plug in a real Tesla lease quote and loan terms to see which costs less over the lease term — counting the equity you'd still own if you buy.
How to compare fairly
Comparing monthly payments isn't enough: a lease payment buys only the years you use, while a loan payment builds ownership. This calculator adds up everything you'd pay over the lease term, then subtracts the car's estimated value minus whatever you'd still owe on the loan.
Tesla lease basics
- Mileage: Tesla offers 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000 miles a year. Extra miles typically cost $0.25 each.
- Buyout: Tesla added a lease buyout option for new US Model 3 and Model Y leases in late 2024, for a fee — check your contract.
- No federal tax credit: the $7,500 credit ended on September 30, 2025, for both leases and purchases.
- FSD: it's subscription-only ($99/month) on new orders, so it costs the same whether you lease or buy.
When leasing makes sense
- You want a new Tesla every few years and drive predictable miles.
- You'd rather Tesla carry the risk of used prices falling after price cuts.
- You don't want to deal with selling or trading in later.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to lease or buy a Tesla?
Buying usually costs less if you keep the car well past the loan, while leasing can win over a short term when lease deals are strong or used prices are falling. Run your actual quote through the calculator.
Can you buy out a Tesla lease?
For many recent US Model 3 and Model Y leases, yes — Tesla introduced a lease buyout option in late 2024 with a fee. Older Model 3 and Model Y leases generally couldn't be bought out. Check your lease agreement.
What happens to FSD on a leased Tesla?
On new orders FSD is a $99/month subscription, so you simply cancel it or keep paying. It doesn't affect the lease itself.
More free Tesla tools
Battery Replacement Cost Estimator
Estimate what a Tesla battery pack costs to replace out of warranty, check whether your warranty should cover it, and see cheaper options.
Battery Warranty Checker
Enter your Tesla, delivery date and mileage to see how much Battery & Drive Unit and basic warranty is left — new or used.
Maintenance Cost Calculator
An itemized Tesla maintenance budget by model and mileage — tires, rotations, cabin filters, brake fluid and more.
Cost of Ownership Calculator
Depreciation, insurance, charging, maintenance, fees and subscriptions combined into one monthly cost for your Tesla.
Used Tesla Buying Checklist
An interactive, printable checklist for buying a used Tesla — history, FSD and hardware, battery, body, tires and the test drive.
Trade-In Value Calculator
A rough trade-in and private-sale range for your Tesla by model, year, mileage and condition — with what purchased FSD adds.
Depreciation Calculator
See your Tesla's estimated value each year, and whether you'd owe more on the loan than it's worth.
Supercharger Cost Calculator
Estimate what Supercharging costs per session, per mile and per month for your Tesla — with peak and off-peak California rates, home charging and gas compared.
California Registration Fee Calculator
Itemized estimate of your California Tesla registration: VLF, Transportation Improvement Fee, the $121 EV Road Improvement Fee, CHP and DMV fees.
California Lemon Law Checker
Answer seven questions to see whether your Tesla meets California's lemon law presumption (18 months / 18,000 miles) and what to do next.
Tesla Insurance Cost Estimator
Estimate monthly insurance for a Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X in your state and compare Tesla Insurance, Lemonade, State Farm and GEICO.
Lemonade vs Tesla Insurance Calculator
See how much Lemonade's 50% FSD-mile discount could save you compared with your current Tesla insurance premium.
Is Lemonade Right for Me? Quiz
A one-minute quiz that checks your state, hardware and driving habits to tell you whether Lemonade Car is worth a quote for your Tesla.
FSD Transfer Checker
Check whether Full Self-Driving stays with a used Tesla, based on when FSD was bought and Tesla's current transfer rules.
FSD Buy vs Subscribe Calculator
Compare the total cost of the $99/month FSD subscription with the old one-time purchase price over the years you plan to own the car.
Hardware Version Checker
Find out whether a Tesla has HW3 or HW4 from its model and build year, how to confirm it on the car, and what it means for FSD and insurance discounts.