What if the repair only lasts a year?

Then its cost-per-year is high — which is exactly why a cheap-looking repair can be the worse deal. This calculator surfaces that.

Should I factor in reliability?

This compares pure cost per year. If the old one keeps breaking, weight the replacement more heavily than the number alone.

Calculators › Everyday Money Decisions › Repair vs Replace Calculator

Calconomics

Repair vs Replace Calculator

Fix the old one or buy new? The honest answer is whichever costs less per year of life you get. Enter the repair cost and the extra years it buys you versus the price and lifespan of a replacement — and stop eyeballing it.

Repair it

Repair cost

Extra years you'd get

yrs

Replace it

Replacement cost

Lifespan of a new one

yrs

Verdict

Replace — it's cheaper per year

Repair: cost per year

$100.00

Replace: cost per year

$90.00

The numbers

Cheaper option saves / year

$10.00

US$3.99 · download & own it forever

Prices in

How it's calculated

Repair cost per year = repair cost ÷ extra years it buys.
Replace cost per year = replacement price ÷ its expected lifespan.
Whichever has the lower cost per year wins.

Our methodology & 2026 data sources →

Frequently asked questions

What if the repair only lasts a year?: Then its cost-per-year is high — which is exactly why a cheap-looking repair can be the worse deal. This calculator surfaces that.
Should I factor in reliability?: This compares pure cost per year. If the old one keeps breaking, weight the replacement more heavily than the number alone.