The real key there is staying in the same house for the long term. It's very common for people to think they're going to stay for a long time, but then end up m

The real key there is staying in the same house for the long term. It's very common for people to think they're going to stay for a long time, but then end up moving every 5 years for whatever reason (kids, jobs, schools, upgrading, etc). That usually results in a loss on every move, since the transaction costs are high, and also building little/no equity. Whereas renters can typically move with just spending a bit for lease-break fees, if that. There's also risk to owning: prices could drop, you could have major maintenance issues (hurricane, mold, foundation issues, whatever), the neighborhood could go to hell, etc. So it's not all bubblegum and roses there either. Point being that there are pluses and minuses to both. The best answer depends on a lot of factors, many of which are specific to a person's situation, and some of which are unknowable.