Rent vs. Buy

Dated: May 14 2026

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A new study says buying a home in Florida may help people build more wealth over time than renting.

The 2026 “10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study” by AD Mortgage looked at what could happen financially over 10 years if someone bought a home versus rented and invested their extra money instead.

In five Florida cities — Miami, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville — homeowners were projected to come out ahead. In some areas, buyers could build hundreds of thousands more in wealth over 10 years compared to renters.

Miami showed the biggest difference, with homeowners projected to build over $1 million in equity over time.

Of course, buying a home is not the right choice for everyone, and costs like insurance, taxes, and monthly payments still matter. But for people who are financially ready and planning to stay in one place for several years, homeownership may still be one of the best long-term investments.

Source: 2026 “10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study” by AD Mortgage, shared by Florida Realtors and written by Amy Connolly 😎

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Daralyn Duquette

Daralyn is a seasoned, full-time real estate agent with 11 years of experience in the field and counting. She calls upon skills developed in her previous career experiences as a tenured educator and c....

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