If you want to play with numbers, the New York Times has an excellent tool: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&

If you want to play with numbers, the New York Times has an excellent tool: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1210623109-gRZfVKFPW6Lum2KGvsXGwA http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAP... It allows you to play with multiple variables and then tells you how many years you need to own a home for in order for it to become profitable.