Why the rent-vs-buy math is starting to turn

The gap between renting and buying a starter home in the 50 largest US metros is the narrowest in over a year, with renting still cheaper but the advantage shrinking. Median rent for up to two-bedroom homes fell 1.4% annually to $1,695, while buying costs dropped $89 to $2,553 due to lower prices and mortgage rates. Some markets show faster price declines for buying, offering more buying flexibility despite renting remaining cheaper overall.