Lease-Break vs Eviction Math
Lease Break vs Eviction Cost Calculator
What this calculator does
Eviction creates a record that can raise rent and deposits for years. This calculator compares that to a lease-break penalty.
The math, with a worked example
Lease break cost = penalty + lost deposit. Eviction cost = future rent increase × 84 months + deposit hike. A $2,000 penalty plus $1,000 deposit versus $150 monthly rent increase over 7 years plus $500 deposit hike favors breaking the lease.
Why this matters
Breaking a lease has a price you pay once; staying through an eviction-track situation has a price that compounds for years in higher rent and a damaged rental record. $3,000 now against $150 more per month for 7 years is not a close call — but only the arithmetic shows it.
Methodology and transparency
Lease-break side = penalty + lost deposit, paid once. Staying side = monthly rent increase × 84 months + deposit hike. The 84-month horizon is the assumption doing the heavy lifting — it treats a rent disadvantage as lasting 7 years, roughly how long an eviction record follows a rental application. Your state may also require landlords to mitigate by re-renting, which can shrink the break penalty below the contract number. Everything runs in your browser; no data is sent or stored.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
Common questions
Can I break a lease without penalty?
Sometimes, with landlord negotiation or legal protections.
Does eviction affect credit?
An eviction judgment can appear on tenant screening reports and hurt your ability to rent.