Renting vs Buying a Home 2026

The rent-vs-buy calculus in 2026 depends heavily on location, mortgage rates, and planned tenure. With 30-year rates at 6.48% and median home prices at $420,000, buying makes financial sense only in markets where the price-to-rent ratio is below 20 and buyers plan to stay 5+ years. Renting preserves flexibility and avoids maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$5,000 annually.