I guess for me, my bi-weekly mortagage payment was cheaper than rent. I am almost finished my loan - just a couple years left - and thus, will not have to make a monthly payment.
Oddly, when I bought in 1994, the market dropped my house by about 20,000 dollars. Now I am up by about 75,000 from my original price I paid.
You are right on the tax issue and of course the maintenance issue. But if I rent, part of my landlord's rental rate would go to the tax.
Having said all of that, your facts are correct and in those cases you have shown, renting would seem to be the way to go in certain circunstances.
Again, thanks for the information and take care.
Renting is cheaper in insanely prices markets. In normal markets, buying is usually better.