Rent or Buy. Find your better path.
Loan rates at 9–10%, property appreciation 4–6%, equity returns 11–12%. The real comparison most people never run. Move the sliders and see the winner instantly — 100% private, no data stored.
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Run your rent vs buy comparison
Move any slider to see instant results. Nine variables covering property price, loan terms, rent, appreciation, maintenance, and equity returns. All computed locally in your browser.
- 2026 India market assumptions pre-loaded
- Comparison chart + growth line + break-even year
- Every slider updates the narrative and FAQ values live
Property: ₹1.2 Cr with 20% down (₹24L), loan at 9% for 20y → EMI ₹83K/mo.
Rent: Start ₹40K/mo, ↑6% yearly. Maintenance ₹3K/mo if owned.
Assumptions: Appreciation 4%, investment return 11%.
Final net worth: Own ₹2.65Cr · Rent+invest ₹2.92Cr → Renting wins by ₹27L.
Break-even: Renting overtakes buying in year 15.
Key consideration: Owning gives stability and an illiquid asset. Renting+investing requires strict discipline to actually invest the surplus. Track actuals in the Wealth Wallet.
See the number? Now act on it: model your EMI → · track net worth →
How the Rent vs Buy calculator works
Three steps to a decision you can defend. Adjust assumptions, watch the wealth comparison update, and read the plain-language explanation of your numbers.
- Set your assumptions: Nine sliders — property price, down payment, loan rate, tenure, rent, rent inflation, appreciation, maintenance, and equity return.
- See two futures compared: Buying builds equity through EMI, offset by maintenance and stamp duty. Renting invests the down payment + monthly surplus, compounding at your equity rate.
- Read the narrative: The break-even year, the winning path, and the difference in net worth — explained in plain language as you drag.
How Rohan & Neha ran the numbers
Two common Indian profiles — Rohan (28) in Pune, Neha (32) in Bengaluru — represent the classic rent-vs-buy dilemma. The calculator turns “gut feel” into a defensible number.
- Rohan’s 5-year question: Considering a ₹1 Cr flat with a 20-year loan, he learns the break-even year is 13–15 in most Indian metros — meaning selling in 5 years would lose money after transaction costs. The Wealth Wallet tracks the long-term picture.
- Neha’s equity case: Renting at ₹45K/month and investing the ₹15L down payment + monthly surplus at 11% builds ~₹3 Cr in 20 years — beating a flat appreciating at 4%.
- Stamp duty reality: Both discover the 6–8% upfront cost (₹6–8L on a ₹1 Cr flat) means buying requires at least 3–4 years just to break even on transaction friction.
- Tax angle: Old regime interest deduction (₹2L/yr) saves ~₹60K tax in the 30% bracket — worth ~1% on the loan. Model this with the Tax Regime Simulator.
- Hidden maintenance: Society charges + property tax + repairs at 0.5–1% of value per year can add ₹6–12L over 20 years — often ignored.
- The discipline test: Renting only wins if the surplus is actually invested. Rohan tracks his surplus in the Investment Wallet to stay disciplined.
- Emotional vs financial: Both learn that owning a home is partly an emotional/security decision — the calculator quantifies the financial cost of that choice.
Rent vs buy best practices for India 2026
Seven rules that turn a calculator output into a real decision. Each one links to a wallet or calculator so you can act immediately.
- Stay ≥7 years if you buy
- Budget 6–8% for stamp duty + registration
- Model 0.5–1% annual maintenance cost
- Stay ≥7 years if you buy: With 9–10% home loans and 5–7% stamp duty, you need 7+ years to break even on transaction costs. Use the Wealth Wallet to model your timeline.
- Tax benefits still matter (old regime): Interest up to ₹2L/year (Sec 24b) + principal up to ₹1.5L (80C) effectively lowers loan cost by ~1% for the 30% bracket. Compare regimes with the Tax Regime Simulator.
- Appreciation is modest in 2026: Tier-1 cities now see 4–6% p.a. after the post-COVID spike. Adjust expectations before committing.
- Budget maintenance honestly: 0.5–1% of property value annually for society charges, property tax, and repairs. Factor this into owning cost.
- Equity returns ~11–12%: Renting + investing the surplus can beat real estate if you’re disciplined. Use the Investment Wallet to stay on track.
- Emergency fund before EMI: Never buy a home without 12 months of expenses saved. Use the Emergency Fund Calculator to set your target first.
- New HRA cities (2026): Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad now qualify for 50% HRA — renting in these cities may yield significant additional tax savings worth factoring in.
Rent vs buy articles
Six India-first guides covering the deepest questions people email us about — break-even math, hidden costs, HRA vs 24b, and why “rent is waste” is a myth worth retiring.
- Six focused guides
- Covers every calculator assumption in depth
- All at INDwallet blog
Rent vs Buy India 2026: Complete Decision Framework
Break-even years, hidden costs, and when renting truly wins.
Read → Loan StrategyHome Loan Strategy India 2026: Fixed vs Floating & Prepayment
Save crores in interest with the right loan structure.
Read → Hidden CostsHidden Costs of Buying a Home in India
Stamp duty, registration, maintenance — the 7–10% extra.
Read → Stamp DutyStamp Duty & Registration in India (2026): State Guide
How much you’ll actually pay to register your home.
Read → TaxHRA vs Home Loan Tax Benefit: Which Saves More?
Compare tax savings from renting vs buying.
Read → Myths5 Myths About Renting vs Buying in India (Debunked)
“Rent is waste of money” — is that still true?
Read →Compare here. Track everywhere.
Two modes, one promise. Browser mode keeps everything on your device. App mode adds goals and cross-device sync, hosted on Base44 with strict data and privacy controls. Both free.
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Frequently asked questions
How many years until buying becomes cheaper?
What is my monthly EMI and total interest?
How does stamp duty affect the decision?
Are tax benefits on home loan still useful in 2026?
Why are property appreciation estimates lower now?
Is 11–12% equity return realistic?
What if I might move in 5 years?
How does maintenance affect the comparison?
Should I include property tax?
Does loan tenure affect the rent vs buy outcome?
💡 Run the numbers in real context
- After this comparison → track net worth in the Wealth Wallet
- To model your exact EMI with amortization → use the EMI Calculator
- To check home loan tax benefit → use the Tax Regime Simulator
- To set your down payment savings target → use the Emergency Fund Calculator
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