Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the true 10-year cost of renting vs buying — including EMI, maintenance, appreciation, and what you could have earned by investing the down payment instead.

1 Property Details

2 If You Buy

10%50%
2% (flat)20% (hot market)

3 If You Rent

If you rented, you'd invest the down payment amount instead.

3 years20 years

Enter your details and click Compare to see the rent vs buy analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to rent or buy in Pune in 2026?
For holding periods under 5 years, renting is usually better due to high transaction costs (stamp duty, registration, brokerage). For 7+ years in appreciating areas like Baner, Hinjewadi, or Kharadi, buying tends to win financially. Use this calculator with your specific numbers to decide.
What upfront costs should I plan for when buying?
Stamp duty (5–6% in Pune), registration (1%, max ₹30k), GST (5% for under-construction), brokerage (1–2%), interior/fit-out (₹500–1,500 per sqft), and 6–12 months emergency corpus. Total upfront costs can be 12–20% of the property price on top of the down payment.
What return should I assume on the invested down payment?
Conservative: 8–10% (equity mutual funds, SIP). Moderate: 10–12% (active equity funds). Aggressive: 12–15% (direct equity, startup investments). Using 10% is a reasonable benchmark for comparison. Higher investment returns favor renting.
Does this calculator account for home loan tax benefits?
No — for simplicity. Under the new tax regime (default from FY 2024-25), most home loan tax deductions under 80C and Section 24(b) are not available. Under the old regime, deductions of up to ₹3.5L/year apply. Consult a CA to model the tax impact specific to your situation.