βš–οΈ Scenario Comparison Hub

Side-by-Side Financial Decision Models

Compare real Singapore life choices β€” housing, transportation, weddings, family planning, and career benchmarks with interactive simulators.

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Rent vs Buy Simulator

Evaluate renting + stock market investing against homeownership mortgage equity accumulation in Singapore.

πŸ”‘
If you rent
Your rental assumptions
$30,000 / yr
$/ month
Annual rent increase3.0% p.a.
0.0% (Flat)4.0%8.0% (High)
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If you buy
Your purchase assumptions
IRAS Property Tax Rates↗
$total
20.0% of price
$total
Down payment source
Mortgage interest rate3.0% p.a.
1.5%3.5% (HDB)6.0%
Loan tenure
$/ month
πŸ“ˆ
Market growth assumptions
Long-term parameters
Annual home appreciation2.0% p.a.
-2.0%2.0% (SG Avg)6.0%
Investment portfolio return5.0% p.a.
0.0%5.0% (Balanced)10.0% (Equities)
Time horizon
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Enter both scenarios to compare
Fill in your rent and your purchase details on the left. We'll model your net financial position under each scenario over your chosen time horizon.
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Key Financial Trade-offs Summary

Strategic decision framework for rent vs buy in Singapore

Renting & Investing

Flexibility & Liquidity
Avg Rent: $2,500 - $4,500/mo
βœ“ Key Advantages:
  • Zero long-term debt liability or mortgage commitment
  • Full portfolio liquidity in index funds
  • Mobility to upgrade or relocate easily
βœ• Key Drawbacks:
  • Rent is 100% unrecoverable expense
  • Subject to landlord renewal price spikes
  • No CPF Ordinary Account leverage for rent

Buying Property

Forced Savings & Stability
Downpayment: 20-25% (Min 5% Cash)
βœ“ Key Advantages:
  • Build equity over 25-30 year loan tenure
  • Utilise CPF OA for monthly mortgage installment
  • Cap property appreciation benefits
βœ• Key Drawbacks:
  • Incurs BSD/ABSD taxes and mortgage interest
  • Requires downpayment cash/CPF buffer ($60k–$200k+)
  • Maintenance fees & property tax ongoing cost
πŸ’‘ Rule of Thumb Guidance: If staying in Singapore 5+ years and eligible for HDB grants, buying usually outperforms renting due to CPF OA deployment. Renting is ideal for short-term expats or high-yield investors seeking portfolio mobility.