The vast majority of the difference in that particular comparison is housing- which must apply to buying houses, because comparing rents certainly doesn't give

The vast majority of the difference in that particular comparison is housing- which must apply to buying houses, because comparing rents certainly doesn't give 45% difference. So... this data is meaningless unless you own your house here and plan on buying there, from what I can tell, which probably excludes most of us. Edit: OK, I'm finding some cheaper rents, but I think my main analysis stands.