Jumbo Realty — Chennai's Trusted Property Partner

Buying scenario

Property price ₹80 L

Down payment 20%

Interest rate 8.50%

Loan tenure 20 yr

Annual maintenance / property tax 1%

As a % of property value, per year.

Renting scenario

Equivalent monthly rent ₹25,000

Annual rent increase 5%

Comparison

Property appreciation (annual) 6%

Compare over 10 yr

Buying saves you

₹29.56 L

over 10 years, vs. the alternative

Down payment₹16,00,000

Monthly EMI₹55,541

Interest + maintenance (10 yrs)₹55,44,487

Property value after 10 yrs₹1,43,26,782

Total rent paid (10 yrs)₹37,73,368

Breakeven pointYear 6

Buying cost = down payment + loan interest + maintenance, minus property appreciation gained. Doesn't account for returns you could earn by investing the down payment elsewhere instead — see the FAQ below.

Should you rent or buy in Chennai?

The honest cost of owning a home isn't the EMI — it's the interest portion of that EMI plus maintenance and property tax, since the principal you repay converts into equity you keep. Set against that is the property's appreciation over the years you hold it. Renting, by contrast, is a pure cost with nothing built up at the end, but it comes with lower upfront cash needs and no exposure to a single asset's price swings.

This calculator nets out both sides — interest and maintenance minus appreciation for buying, against escalating rent for renting — over whatever time horizon you choose, and shows which option comes out ahead and at what point the two cross over.

Frequently asked questions

Does this include what I could earn by investing my down payment elsewhere?

No — this compares direct housing costs only (rent vs. loan interest + maintenance, offset by property appreciation). It doesn't model returns from investing your down payment in other assets, which can change the picture, especially over shorter horizons.

Why does the property appreciation rate matter so much?

Appreciation is the main offset against the interest and maintenance you pay while owning. A small change in the assumed rate can flip the result, so treat this as a planning estimate, not a guarantee.

What if I sell before my loan is paid off?

Selling early still lets you keep the accumulated equity and any appreciation, minus the remaining loan balance and exit costs — this calculator assumes you hold for the full comparison period rather than modelling an early sale.