Bar Graph: AD Mortgage Top 10 US Cities Where Buying Better Than Renting
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AD Mortgage, a leading wholesale lender in the United States, has released its latest housing analysis, The 10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study, finding that homeownership outperforms renting in 80% of the 250 U.S. cities analyzed over a 10-year period.
The study evaluates the financial outcomes of renting versus buying over a 10-year period across key U.S. markets, factoring in home price appreciation, interest rates, and equity accumulation. In the renter scenario, the study assumes the investment of available capital, including the down payment and, where applicable, the monthly differential between rent and mortgage payments. While this approach provides renters with a theoretical advantage, the results consistently favor homeownership.
To summarize, the findings highlight how homeownership can serve as a powerful wealth-building tool over time, while also illustrating scenarios where renting may offer short-term flexibility depending on market conditions.
“Our goal with this study is to provide a clear, data-backed perspective on one of the most important financial decisions consumers face,” said Max Slyusarchuk, CEO of AD Mortgage. “By analyzing long-term outcomes, we aim to support more informed conversations between borrowers and mortgage professionals.”
Key findings from the study include:
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Buying outperforms renting in 80% of cities analyzed. Across 250 U.S. cities, homeownership demonstrates a consistent long-term financial advantage in the majority of markets.
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Scale and breadth: 250-city analysis. The study spans a wide range of local housing markets, capturing regional differences in pricing, rent trends, and appreciation.
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Homeowners can accumulate net wealth over 10 years. Driven by home price appreciation and principal paydown, buyers benefit from a compounding effect.
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Home values increase annually in most markets. Even moderate appreciation significantly impacts long-term wealth accumulation.
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Regional differences can shift outcomes by six figures. Markets with stronger appreciation create larger wealth gaps between owning and renting.
The study underscores the importance of evaluating both short-term affordability and long-term financial impact when considering housing decisions.
AD Mortgage continues to invest in research and tools that empower mortgage brokers and their clients with actionable insights, supporting more informed and strategic decision-making across the homebuying journey.