Gross Yield vs Net Yield: Property Returns Explained

Glossary Updated
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Quick Definition
Gross Yield is the annual rental income divided by the property value, expressed as a percentage.

What Does It Mean?

Gross Yield

Gross Yield is the annual rental income divided by the property value, expressed as a percentage. It provides a quick snapshot of rental return but does not account for expenses such as maintenance, property tax, or vacancy.

Net Yield

Net Yield is the annual rental income minus all expenses, divided by the property value. It gives a more accurate picture of your real investment return because it factors in maintenance fees, IRAS property taxproperty tax, agent fees, and vacancy costs.

How Is It Calculated?

Gross Yield

Gross Yield = (Annual Rent ÷ Property Value) × 100
Formula

If monthly rent is $3,800 and property value is $1,500,000: ($3,800 × 12) ÷ $1,500,000 = 3.04%.

Net Yield

Net Yield = ((Annual Rent − Annual Expenses) ÷ Property Value) × 100
Formula

Deduct maintenance fees, property tax, agent fees, and vacancy before dividing.

Key Differences

MetricGross YieldNet Yield
Includes expenses?NoYes
Best forQuick comparisonsActual return analysis
Typical Singapore range2.5%–4.5%1.5%–3.5%
Deducts vacancy?NoYes
Deducts maintenance?NoYes

Worked Example

3.04%
Gross Yield
2.58%
Net Yield (15% expenses)

Based on a $1,500,000 property renting at $3,800/month, the gross yield is 3.04%. After a 15% expense ratio ($6,840/year), net yield drops to 2.58%.

Why It Matters

Understanding the difference between gross and net yield prevents overestimating your rental returns. Many listings quote gross yield, which can be 20-30% higher than your actual take-home yield after expenses.

Where to Find This on ShiokNest

  • Property detail pages
  • Buy-to-Rent ROI Calculator
  • End-to-End Investment Calculator

Look for the tooltip icon next to this metric on ShiokNest for a quick reminder of its definition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good rental yield in Singapore?
The average gross rental yield for Singapore condos is approximately 3-4%. Above 4% is considered above-average. Yields vary significantly by district, unit type, and segment.
Why is net yield lower than gross yield?
Net yield deducts expenses like property tax, maintenance fees, agent commissions, and vacancy periods. Typically, net yield is 15-25% lower than gross yield.

This glossary article is auto-generated from ShiokNest's financial data and updated periodically. Rates and figures are current as of March 2026. Check official sources for the latest.