March 2026 Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

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Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment. But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking…  expensive , especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle. That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you'd expect based on what’s changed recently. Buying Is More Affordable Than Renting in Many Areas  In a lot of places today, owning a home actually costs less each month than renting a 3-bedroom home.  and recent   data   from  A TTOM   shows   that’s true in nearly 58% of counties across the U.S.  ( see chart below ). And that's  after  you factor in things like insurance and typical maintenance costs.  In o...
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Why Gated Communities are Popular

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Gated communities first became popular during New York's Gilded Age, serving as private enclaves for wealthy homeowners. During the 1960s and 70s, these became more affordable as more retirees and middle-class buyers discovered their advantages.

While security-controlled access is a desirable feature, gated communities typically have HOAs that enforce neighborhood guidelines. These make them a popular draw for buyers who prefer well-kept exteriors and nearby amenities.

Today, Florida and California have the highest number of gated communities, with retirees still headed to the Sunshine State because of lower taxes.

One Florida community, PGA National Resort, provides six golf courses for the inhabitants of its 5,000 homes. Retirees on a budget can choose a condo unit, while wealthy buyers can spend seven figures on a 5,000 sq. ft. property.

While some homeowners avoid HOAs because they consider their fees and regulations excessive (for example, PGA National residents must have at least one palm tree on their property), homes in gated communities remain popular as their appreciation rates are often higher than non-gated properties.1

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