New Delhi, June 2 -- For decades, rental income has been the default dream for Indian investors. Buy a property, rent it out, and create a monthly income stream that feels stable and familiar. But today, that equation is being revisited.

Property prices have moved up sharply in many cities, rental yields remain modest, and managing a tenant is not always as passive as it sounds. At the same time, investment-grade bonds have become more accessible to individual investors through SEBI-registered Online Bond Platform Providers such as Jiraaf.

This raises an important question: if an investor wants Rs. 50,000 a month in regular income, how much capital is needed through property versus bonds?

The Real Cost of Rental Income

Rental income l...