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Tesla Lease vs. Buy Calculator

Searching for a Tesla Lease vs. Buy Calculator? Trying to find one that actually takes into account the EV tax credit? You’ve come to the right place!

We aren’t Tesla (or financial advisors)—but we are EV experts and the #1 used EV marketplace in the US! We live and breathe EVs, analyzing tons of data every day. That’s why we’ve built this Tesla Lease vs. Buy Calculator to help you break down the costs and benefits of both options. Curious which option is better for your budget, driving habits, and lifestyle? Use our calculator below to make an informed decision and see how leasing vs. buying stacks up for you!

Enter Your Tesla Lease vs. Buy Parameters Below

Find My Electric has the most detailed Tesla Lease vs. Buy Calculator. Try it now!

*Note: this is for fun and entertainment purposes only. We are not financial advisors, and this is not financial advice. Please make informed and wise financial decisions, and consult financial professionals when necessary.

Tesla Lease vs Buy Calculator


















Results:

*Note that these are estimated figures based on the numbers you input. Tesla may offer promotions or other incentives not reflected here.

Have More Questions About the Tesla Leases? Check Out the FAQ Below.

While we aren’t Tesla, we are the #1 used Tesla marketplace on the web, and because of that we have a lot of insight into questions about Tesla leasing, buying, and comparing the two. With that said, here answers to some common Tesla lease questions.

Can you help me with my Tesla lease?

NO! WE ARE NOT TESLA. We are Find My Electric, an online marketplace for used Teslas (and other EVs). We built this calculator to help people understand the cost difference between leasing and buying a Tesla, which is for entertainment purposes only (we aren’t financial advisors either). If you need help with your Tesla lease, you need to contact Tesla directly.

How much does a Tesla lease cost?

This depends on the term you choose (24 or 36 months), and how much money you put down. Some Tesla leases, like the Cybertruck, require at least $7,500 down, where others require less than half that. Generally speaking though, Tesla leases can be had in the $299/mo range or so for Model 3, and then it goes up from there with Cybertruck and Model S Plaid getting to be $1,000 or more. Again, this depends on how much you put down, your leasing term, and the mileage per year that you choose.

How much down payment to lease a Tesla?

Tesla usually makes you put down at least $3,000 on a lease, but sometimes they have deals or specials (often at the end of the financial quarter or year) where you might be able to put down less, even $0.

Does Tesla negotiate lease prices?

No, Tesla does not negotiate lease prices (or anything else for that matter). Most people know this by now, but what you get on their website and the deals they release are what you get. And that’s really it.

Can you lease a Tesla for 12 months?

No, you can’t lease a Tesla for 12 months. The lowest lease term they have is 24 months. Although it’s worth stating that Tesla does do some crazy deals from time to time, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they might do a shorter lease, but we haven’t seen it.

Where can I find Tesla lease deals for 2025?

The best place to find Tesla lease deals is on the Tesla website. They continually update it with the latest deals and lease savings specials.

What happens if you drive beyond the Tesla lease mileage?

If you go beyond the mileage stated in your Tesla lease, they will usually charge you a fee of $0.25 cents per mile, which can really add up if you’re going over your mileage by a lot.

Can you lease a Tesla?

Yes, of course you can! Although not all models are always available for lease. When Tesla releases a new model (like they did with the Cybertruck) sometimes it takes a while for a leasing option to be available. For example, this took about 10 months before you could actually lease a Cybertruck from the time that deliveries first began.

Does Tesla take trade-ins when leasing?

Yes, Tesla takes trade-ins for vehicles that are financed, including leases. However, Tesla is not known to be the best at giving high prices on trade-ins, so you might want to sell it somewhere else and put that money toward your lease. Sometimes though, the convenience factor is worth it to trade in to Tesla; this is something you need to check for yourself.

How soon can you sell a leased Tesla?

When you lease a Tesla, you are stuck in the lease unless you pay a hefty termination clause, and in that case, you’ll need to give the car back to Tesla. The only way you can sell a leased Tesla is by buying it out, and then selling it once you own it. You may be able to transfer the lease to someone else depending upon the specifics of your contract, buy you’d need to check with Tesla about that.

Is it better to lease or buy a Tesla?

This really depends on your financial situation, how long you plan to keep the car, and how good you are at maintaining vehicles (yes, contrary to popular belief even Teslas need maintenance). Hopefully our Tesla lease vs. buy calculator can help you decide this.

Can you buy a Tesla after leasing?

Yes, you can, but this option isn’t always available. Tesla just released this option in late 2024, but you have to check your lease contract to make sure it’s possible.

Does the $7,500 tax credit work on a leased Tesla?

Yes, sort of, but not in the same way that it works on a purchase. In leases, Tesla often includes as $7,500 “lease incentive” because they are getting a credit from the government and passing that savings on to you as a cost reduction on your lease. If you buy the lease out early on, you may be able to recoup much of that savings in the form of a discounted purchase price (which some people have reportedly done on Cybertruck).

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