Should You Buy Or Rent In 2026? (The Numbers SHOCKED Us!)
The Money Guy Show 38:39
193,479 views · 2,965 likes Watch on YouTube ↗
Is buying a home still the American dream, or is renting the smarter choice in 2026? Housing prices are up 50% since 2020, mortgage rates have more than doubled, and the affordability gap is at historic levels. In this episode, we run the actual numbers with a case study comparing Heather the Homeowner and Randy the Renter. While Randy's monthly payment is lower than Heather’s, he has maximum flexibility for his financial future.
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy in 2026, this episode gives you the framework to think through the better choice for your situation. We cover the 10 metros where renting makes the most sense, the 10 where buying is closest to rental parity, non-financial considerations that might override the math, and when our 3/5/25 rule says you should wait.
Timestamps
0:00 The American Dream Question
2:05 How Did We Get Here?
4:00 Mortgage Rates and Affordability
9:58 The Ultimate Question: Rent vs. Own
13:03 Case Study: Heather vs. Randy
21:09 Metro Areas with Widest and Narrowest Gaps
23:31 Variables to Consider in Your Decision
28:05 Is Home Ownership The Move?
29:15 Does Renting Make Sense?
32:05 The 3/5/25 Rule
33:53 Landing the Plane
🔗 Home Buying Calculator → https://moneyguy.com/tool/how-much-house-can-you-afford/
🔗 Home Buying Checklist → https://moneyguy.com/resource/home-buying-checklist/
🔗 3/5/25 Rule Guide → https://moneyguy.com/guide/home-buying/
🔗 Financial Order of Operations → https://moneyguy.com/guide/foo/
🎓 Brian Preston (CFP®, CPA) and Bo Hanson (CFA®, CFP®) share professional insights to help you own your financial future.
Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources: https://moneyguy.com/resources/
Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoneyGuyShow?sub_confirmation=1
Connect with us on social media for more content: https://moneyguy.com/link-in-bio/
Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/
#WealthBuilding #PersonalFinance2026 #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy in 2026, this episode gives you the framework to think through the better choice for your situation. We cover the 10 metros where renting makes the most sense, the 10 where buying is closest to rental parity, non-financial considerations that might override the math, and when our 3/5/25 rule says you should wait.
Timestamps
0:00 The American Dream Question
2:05 How Did We Get Here?
4:00 Mortgage Rates and Affordability
9:58 The Ultimate Question: Rent vs. Own
13:03 Case Study: Heather vs. Randy
21:09 Metro Areas with Widest and Narrowest Gaps
23:31 Variables to Consider in Your Decision
28:05 Is Home Ownership The Move?
29:15 Does Renting Make Sense?
32:05 The 3/5/25 Rule
33:53 Landing the Plane
🔗 Home Buying Calculator → https://moneyguy.com/tool/how-much-house-can-you-afford/
🔗 Home Buying Checklist → https://moneyguy.com/resource/home-buying-checklist/
🔗 3/5/25 Rule Guide → https://moneyguy.com/guide/home-buying/
🔗 Financial Order of Operations → https://moneyguy.com/guide/foo/
🎓 Brian Preston (CFP®, CPA) and Bo Hanson (CFA®, CFP®) share professional insights to help you own your financial future.
Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources: https://moneyguy.com/resources/
Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoneyGuyShow?sub_confirmation=1
Connect with us on social media for more content: https://moneyguy.com/link-in-bio/
Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/
#WealthBuilding #PersonalFinance2026 #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom
Category (YouTube): People & Blogs
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