Timing and location have so much influence on this where I live rent is typically more expensive per month than buying a comparable sized home.

For my family we were able to secure an fha loan with something like 5% down which was 15 grand, we secured a 305000 loan. 3 years later our property value was high enough to refi into a conventional loan at a lower rate. Our home is now worth 600000 and rents in the area have doubled while our monthly mortgage has actually decreased. I estimate we have put around 50 grand in renovations into the home but these are also things that we will get our money back on.

My biggest fear with the renting crew is that you may never be able to retire due consistently increasing rents and the need to continue paying a landlord indefinitely.