Rent vs Buy Calculator India 2026 | INDwallet
🏠 Rent · Buy · Decide

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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₹2.65Cr
🏠 Own home net worth
₹2.92Cr
🏢 Rent & invest portfolio
+₹27L
📊 Difference
15y
⏱️ Break-even
📊
Visual comparisonUpdates live with every slider move
📊Final wealth comparison
Gold: Own home · Blue: Rent & invest
📈Wealth growth over time
Watch where the lines cross — that’s your break-even year.
📖

Your scenario explained — based on current values

Real-time breakdown
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.

Best practices · 2026
  • Stay ≥7 years if you buy: With 9–10% home loans and stamp duty of 5–7%, you need 7+ years just 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 (Section 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 accordingly before committing.
  • Budget maintenance honestly: 0.5–1% of property value annually for society charges, property tax, and repairs. Factor this into your 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.

💡 Run the numbers in real context

Rent vs Buy Deep Dive

Everything you need to decide whether to rent or buy a home in India (2026).

Rent vs Buy India 2026: Complete Decision Framework

Break-even years, hidden costs, and when renting truly wins.

Read →

Home Loan Strategy India 2026: Fixed vs Floating, Prepayment & Tenure

Save crores in interest with the right loan structure.

Read →

Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in India: Stamp Duty, Registration, Maintenance

The 7–10% extra you pay beyond the property price.

Read →

Stamp Duty & Registration Charges in India (2026): State‑wise Guide

How much you’ll actually pay to register your home.

Read →

HRA vs Home Loan Tax Benefit: Which Saves You More?

Compare tax savings from renting (HRA) vs buying (Section 24b + 80C).

Read →

5 Myths About Renting vs Buying in India (Debunked for 2026)

“Rent is waste of money” — is that still true? Let’s check.

Read →

Know the number.
Make the decision.

The comparison is done. Now track your wealth — with the four wallets that work the way Indian finances actually work.

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Frequently asked questions

home loanEMIstamp duty break-evenappreciationHRA
🏠 Rent vs Buy Basics
Based on your inputs, the crossover happens around 15 years. Before that, renting+investing builds more wealth. Use the Wealth Wallet to track your net worth over time.
Your EMI = ₹83,000. Over 20 years, total interest = ₹80L. Check the EMI Calculator for a detailed amortization schedule.
💰 Costs, Taxes & Hidden Fees
Stamp duty + registration is 6–8% of property value (~₹7.2L on your property). This upfront cost alone means you need years just to recover it. For budgeting, use the Expenses Wallet.
Yes, in the old regime. For your loan of ₹96L, you can deduct up to ₹2L interest/year, saving ~₹60K tax annually if in the 30% bracket. Compare regimes with the Tax Simulator.
📈 Market Assumptions (2026)
Post-2025, Indian real estate has moderated to 4–6% in most metros after the post-COVID spike. Your slider is at 4% — a realistic long-term assumption. See the Pre-Retirement Life Stage for long-term planning.
Yes — long-term Nifty 50 CAGR has been 12–14% over 20-year rolling periods. Your investment return of 11% is a conservative planning estimate. Explore the Investment Quest for more insights.
⚖️ Lifestyle & Personal Factors
With your break-even at 15 years, selling earlier would likely lose money after transaction costs and capital gains. Renting is the safer choice for mobility. Use the Expenses Wallet to track your moving costs.
You’ve set maintenance at ₹3,000/mo. Over 20 years, that’s ₹7.2L — a significant hidden cost of ownership. Track these in the Expenses Wallet.
Yes — add it to your maintenance slider. Typically 0.1–0.5% of property value = ₹12K–60K/year. Plan for this with the Wealth Wallet.
Longer tenure lowers EMI but significantly increases total interest paid. Your tenure is currently 20 years. Try the EMI Calculator to model different tenures and see the total cost impact.

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