Renting or Buying Home? Ratio Analysis

It's not possible to give a straightforward mathematical calculation to prove whether renting or buying a house is better, as the answer will depend on a variety of factors specific to each individual's situation, such as the cost of the home or rental, the duration of the stay, interest rates, inflation, market conditions, and personal preferences. However, one approach to make the comparison between renting and buying is to use the rent-to-price ratio.

The rent-to-price ratio is the annual rent of a property divided by its sale price. For example, if a house costs $300,000 and can be rented for $1,500 per month, the rent-to-price ratio is 0.6% (1,500 x 12 months / 300,000 x 100).

If the rent-to-price ratio is lower than the mortgage interest rate, it may be more financially beneficial to buy a house. On the other hand, if the rent-to-price ratio is higher than the mortgage interest rate, it may be more cost-effective to rent a home.

However, it's essential to consider other factors that affect the overall cost, such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and potential appreciation or depreciation of the property value. It's recommended to consult a financial advisor or a real estate professional to help make an informed decision based on individual circumstances.