Renting remains cheaper than buying across all major U.S. metro areas

Rental prices have continued to decline for the 15th consecutive month, according to the Realtor.com October 2024 Rental Report. The report highlights that renting is currently more affordable than buying in all 50 major metro areas. The median asking rent across these metros was $1,720, showing a decrease of $23 from the previous month and $40 from its peak in August 2022.

In contrast, purchasing a home comes with higher costs. With a median home listing price of $425,950, the average monthly mortgage payment is approximately $2,229. This figure assumes a 20% down payment and a 6.93% interest rate but does not account for property taxes or insurance.

Scott Waters from Real Broker LLC points out some advantages of renting: "One of the biggest advantages of renting is the lack of responsibility when it comes to major systems and appliances within your living space." Renting also offers flexibility in terms of relocation without the complexities involved in selling a home.

On the other hand, buying provides an opportunity to build equity and long-term wealth. Mike Roberts from City Creek Mortgage suggests that despite high interest rates around 6.92% to 7.05%, buying can still be beneficial due to the stability offered by fixed-rate mortgages: "Renters are often at the mercy of landlords who can increase rent annually."

Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu advises potential buyers to consider market trends and their expected duration of residence before transitioning from renting to owning: "It’s crucial to stay informed about market trends and thoughtfully assess the expected duration of residence in their next home."

Graham Hill from Find Hokkaido Agents mentions that current conditions might favor buyers who can handle existing interest rates: "Deals that barely make sense now will become more profitable as prices rise."

For those unsure whether to rent or buy, Xu recommends using tools like Realtor.com's Rent vs. Buy Calculator for personalized insights into financial decisions based on current market conditions.