Rent vs Buy Calculator (Singapore, 2026)
This model answers the question: “If I rent instead of buy, how much better (or worse) is my end net worth?” It’s not perfect — but it’s vastly better than comparing monthly mortgage vs rent.
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Inputs
Interpretation: this is a planning model. Real outcomes depend on valuation, borrowing approval, cash/CPF structure, vacancy, and behavioural discipline.
Results
Mortgage monthly payment
—
Principal + interest (excludes owner running costs)
End net worth (BUY)
—
Net sale proceeds after remaining loan & selling costs
End net worth (RENT + INVEST)
—
Upfront invested + monthly savings invested (or withdrawals)
Winner (net worth)
—
—
Break‑even estimate
Break‑even is the first year where the end net worth of buying becomes higher than rent‑and‑invest (or vice versa). It’s a rough indicator — not a promise.
Break‑even year (approx)
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Within 1–15 years scan
Average monthly cost (BUY)
—
Net cost over horizon / months
Average monthly cost (RENT)
—
Rent + renter costs (no investment effects)
Key sensitivity
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Usually: appreciation vs rent inflation
Show breakdown (how this model works)
- Buy: you pay upfront (downpayment + buying costs), then mortgage + owner monthly costs. At the end, you sell: net proceeds = sale price − remaining loan − selling costs.
- Rent + invest: you invest the upfront cash you didn’t spend buying. Each month, you invest (or withdraw) the difference between buy monthly outflow and rent monthly outflow.
- End net worth is compared. This is not a “monthly payment” comparison — it’s a net worth comparison.