Lift Off / Calculators

Rent vs Buy Breakeven

Compare the true long-run wealth of buying versus renting and investing. The renter invests their deposit plus the monthly cost difference — so both sides get a fair comparison.

Purchase Price

Current Monthly Rent

Purchase Costs (Legal, LIM, etc.)

Deposit — 20%

10%50%

Mortgage Rate — 5.80%

2%10%

Annual Rent Increase — 3.0%

0%5%

Investment Return — 7.0% p.a.

3%10%

Property Growth — 4.0% p.a.

0%8%

Ongoing Costs (rates/insurance/maintenance) — 2.0%

0.5%3%

Mortgage Term

Monthly Cost Comparison

Buyer (mortgage + costs)

$4,771/mo

Renter pays in rent

$2,500/mo

Renter invests monthly+$2,271/mo

Wealth Comparison — 30 Years

Year 3

Breakeven Year

$3,521/mo

Monthly Mortgage

$2.43M

Property Equity at Yr 30

$3.64M

Renter Portfolio at Yr 30

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Buyer wealth = property value minus remaining loan. Renter wealth = deposit invested plus the monthly cost difference (what the buyer pays extra each month), compounded at your chosen return rate. Buyer wealth does not account for selling costs (typically 2.5–3.5% in agent fees) or conveyancing, which would reduce the property return. Does not account for tax or capital gains. Speak with a Lift Off adviser for personalised property advice.