Rent vs Lease Calculator

Compare renting vs leasing in India with HRA tax benefits, security deposits, brokerage fees, and annual escalations. Make the best housing decision for your situation.

Calculator

Configure your housing parameters

₹5,000 ₹25.00 T ₹5L+
₹5,000 ₹22.00 T ₹5L+

Security Deposits

Typically 2 months rent in India

Typically 6 months lease amount

Annual Escalation

5%

Typically 5-10% in India

0%

Typically 0% (fixed for lease period)

Standard lease lock-in period

HRA Tax Benefits

Recommendation

Renting is Better

You save ₹8.83 L (60.2%) by renting over 5 years.

Including ₹12.00 L in HRA tax benefits.

Total Rent Cost (with HRA)
₹5.83 L
Total Lease Cost
₹14.65 L
Year-by-Year Breakdown
YearMonthly RentRent CostHRA BenefitMonthly LeaseLease CostDifference
Year 1₹25.00 T₹3.75 L₹2.40 L₹22.00 T₹3.96 LRent saves ₹2.61 L
Year 2₹26.25 T₹6.90 L₹2.40 L₹22.00 T₹6.60 LRent saves ₹4.50 L
Year 3₹27.56 T₹10.46 L₹2.40 L₹22.00 T₹9.24 LRent saves ₹5.98 L
Year 4₹28.94 T₹13.93 L₹2.40 L₹22.00 T₹12.01 LRent saves ₹7.68 L
Year 5₹30.39 T₹17.83 L₹2.40 L₹22.00 T₹14.65 LRent saves ₹8.83 L
Understanding Rent in India
  • • 11-month agreements most common
  • • 2 months security deposit standard
  • • 5-10% annual escalation typical
  • • Brokerage: 1 month rent (renewed every 2 years)
  • • HRA tax benefits available for salaried
Understanding Lease in India
  • • 3+ year lock-in periods
  • • 6 months security deposit typical
  • • Fixed rates during lease period
  • • Lower flexibility to move
  • • No HRA benefits (commercial nature)
HRA Tax Benefits

HRA exemption is minimum of:

  • 1. Actual HRA received
  • 2. Rent paid - 10% of basic salary
  • 3. 50% of basic (metro) / 40% (non-metro)