You have to run the numbers. Right now because a lot of people with bad credit got forced out of homes and into the rental market, historic low interest rates,

You have to run the numbers. Right now because a lot of people with bad credit got forced out of homes and into the rental market, historic low interest rates, and a large volume of homes for sale, here in the east bay you'll pay less if you buy than if you rent. Five years ago the opposite was true (in spades). Mostly it depends on your circumstances. If you're single and you change jobs relatively often, it doesn't make sense to buy a house. If you have children it's cheaper to buy a house in a good school district than to send your kids to private schools.