General information only. Opportunity-cost figures are scenarios, not forecasts or investment advice.
The idea
Opportunity cost is the value of the best realistic alternative you give up. Spending $1,000 means giving up both the cash and whatever that cash could otherwise have done.
A common estimate
A possible future value is current amount × (1 + assumed annual return)years. The result depends heavily on the rate, time period, taxes, fees, and whether the alternative would actually have been chosen.
Use more than one scenario
There is no guaranteed market return. Compare a low, middle, and high assumption, and include debt repayment or insured savings when those are realistic alternatives.
Try your numbers
The True Cost of a Purchase calculator combines purchase costs, resale value, and several return assumptions.