Rent vs. Buy Calculator in Singapore (2026)
Is it better to rent or buy a home in Singapore? See the break-even point and total cost comparison over your chosen time horizon.
Property Price
$1,100,000
55m² · $20,000/m²
Down Payment
$275,000
25% of purchase price
Monthly Mortgage
$4,264
3.8% rate · 25yr term
Monthly Rent
$3,500
City centre
📅 Break-even point: Year 3
Buying becomes cheaper than renting after 3 years in Singapore, once property appreciation and equity are factored in.
After 10 years: Buying saves approximately $230,549 vs renting.
Cumulative Cost Comparison — Singapore
Net costs after accounting for property appreciation and investment returns on down payment.
| Year | Net Buy Cost | Net Rent Cost | Property Value | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $55,401 | $18,900 | $1,144,000 | 🔴 Rent |
| 2 | $53,262 | $37,443 | $1,189,760 | 🔴 Rent |
| 3 | $48,483 | $55,554 | $1,237,350 | 🟢 Buy |
| 4 | $40,959 | $73,150 | $1,286,844 | 🟢 Buy |
| 5 | $30,582 | $90,142 | $1,338,318 | 🟢 Buy |
| 6 | $17,237 | $106,432 | $1,391,851 | 🟢 Buy |
| 7 | $809 | $121,916 | $1,447,525 | 🟢 Buy |
| 8 | -$18,826 | $136,477 | $1,505,426 | 🟢 Buy |
| 9 | -$41,793 | $149,991 | $1,565,643 | 🟢 Buy |
| 10 | -$68,226 | $162,323 | $1,628,269 | 🟢 Buy |
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Buying
Mortgage: $4,264
Maintenance: $917
Property Tax: $200
Total Monthly: $5,381
Does not include down payment of $275,000
Renting
Monthly Rent: $3,500
Annual Increase: +3% assumed
Opportunity Gain: Down payment invested at 7%/yr
Total Monthly: $3,500
Rent increases 3%/yr in projection
Can you afford to buy in Singapore?
Monthly net income: $5,149
Monthly mortgage: $4,264
Mortgage-to-income ratio: 82.8%
🔴 Stretched — consider a higher deposit or longer term
Down payment savings needed: $330,000
At 20% savings rate, years to save: 26.7 years
Notes & Assumptions
This calculator uses the following assumptions for Singapore in 2026: property price $20,000/m² × 55m², mortgage rate 3.8% over 25 years, 25% down payment, transaction costs 5.0%, annual maintenance 1.0%, property appreciation 4.0%/yr, rent inflation 3%/yr, opportunity cost of capital 7%/yr. ABSD 60% for foreigners. Private condos SGD 19,500-21,000/sqm (early 2026). Price-to-rent 32.89 (Numbeo Nov 2025).
Same calculator, other cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Singapore in 2026?
Based on 2026 data, buying a home in Singapore typically becomes financially advantageous after 3 years, once property appreciation and equity are factored in. With a mortgage rate of 3.8% and estimated annual appreciation of 4.0%, buying makes sense for long-term residents.
How much do you need to earn to buy in Singapore?
A typical 55m² apartment in Singapore costs approximately $1,100,000 in 2026. With a 25% down payment of $275,000, the monthly mortgage is $4,264. Financial advisors recommend keeping mortgage payments below 28–35% of net monthly income, which implies a gross salary of at least $170,563 per year to comfortably afford this purchase in Singapore.
What is the price-to-rent ratio in Singapore?
The price-to-rent ratio in Singapore is approximately 33x in 2026 — meaning it takes 33 years of rent to equal the purchase price. A ratio above 20 generally favours renting; below 15 generally favours buying. Singapore's ratio of 33 suggests renting is likely more efficient for shorter horizons.
How this calculator works
This calculator compares the total cost of renting versus buying over a configurable time horizon. It includes mortgage payments, transaction costs, maintenance, property appreciation, rent inflation, and the opportunity cost of tying up capital in a down payment.
What's included
- Mortgage principal and interest payments
- Transaction costs (stamp duty, notary, etc.)
- Annual maintenance and property tax
- Property appreciation and rent inflation
- Opportunity cost of capital (7% default)
What's not included
- Renovation or major repair costs
- Home insurance premiums
- Tax relief on mortgage interest (varies by country)
- Emotional or lifestyle value of ownership
Data sources: Central bank mortgage rate data, local property price indices, Numbeo rental averages, and official transaction cost schedules. Updated for 2026.