Is rent-to-own cheaper than a mortgage each week?
It depends on the home value and the interest rate, so put a price in and compare the two totals. The rent-to-own week includes a contribution that builds your deposit; the mortgage week includes principal that builds equity. Rates, insurance and maintenance sit only with an owner. Real weekly figures are on every listing of rent-to-own homes.
Look at the two totals first, then at where the money goes. Under rent-to-buy the contribution is building your deposit; under a mortgage the principal part of each repayment is building your equity. Rates, insurance and maintenance are an owner's costs, so they sit only on the mortgage side — edit them if your numbers are different.
What does the weekly cost calculator assume?
- Market rent is 4.5% of the home value a year for a house and 5% for an apartment, divided into weeks.
- The contribution is 50% of the first year's market rent, fixed for the term. The support fee is $33 a week.
- The mortgage is principal and interest over 30 years at 6.0%, indicative only.
- Council rates $3,000 a year, home insurance $2,200 a year and maintenance 1% of the home value a year — all editable.
- Rent growth is capped at 4% a year under the program.
Frequently asked questions
Market rent, a fixed contribution equal to 50% of the first year's rent, and a support fee of $33 a week. The contribution is credited towards your purchase price when you buy.
Written by
Property Lead
Licensed agent · Former mortgage broker
I was a mortgage broker before joining PublicSquare, so I look at every property and every purchase the way a lender would. I now lead the property side of the program, helping homebuyers from their first info session through to move-in, and working with our buyers agency team on each acquisition for our investors.
Reviewed by
Founder & CEO
Licensed real estate agent
I started PublicSquare in 2021 to give homebuyers a real path to ownership without a deposit, and investors a stronger-cashflow alternative to a standard rental. I hold real estate licences in Queensland and New South Wales and personally review every property that enters the program.
How this calculator was made
Written by Jarrod Wills (Property Lead) and reviewed for accuracy by Dean Arnold (Founder & CEO) before publishing. Program terms are quoted from PublicSquare's own agreements. We check it again whenever the numbers change; it was last updated 27 September 2026.
For more information, visit our Editorial Guidelines.
Read more about Rent-to-Own.
This calculator is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. PublicSquare is a licensed real estate agency, not a financial adviser or credit provider. Consider seeking independent advice before making a decision.
