It is always the case that the monthly cost to buy is lower than rent. It has to be, because the rent is covering the cost of repairs and depreciation which isn

It is always the case that the monthly cost to buy is lower than rent. It has to be, because the rent is covering the cost of repairs and depreciation which isn't included in your mortgage payment. That is demonstrably not true if you just look at monetary costs. Buying often does not outperform renting and investing the remainder. Of course people value home ownership for reasons other than its financial value.