I'm pretty sure most people do indeed rent less than they buy. It's easy to justify buying larger. You might be thinking about starting a family. You're defi

I'm pretty sure most people do indeed rent less than they buy. It's easy to justify buying larger. You might be thinking about starting a family. You're definitely thinking about being there for a long time. Renting, on the other hand, can feel temporary. If you outgrow it, it's easy to move. Dumping extra money into a home you own also feels a bit more like investing, because the additional square footage will appreciate even if you don't need it. Meanwhile buying a rental bigger than you need mostly feels like wasted money. I'd be interested in seeing stats, but I bet the claim that renters choose smaller spaces (even after adjusting for income) holds up.