I've been looking at housing markets in mid-sized cities, and I'm genuinely torn on whether buying a home is still a smart move. The numbers here show prices up about 40% since 2020 while rents have climbed maybe 15%, which makes the buy-versus-rent decision more complex than just comparing monthly payments. Property taxes, maintenance, and the opportunity cost of tying up a down payment all shift the equation, especially when interest rates are hovering around 6%–7%. What factors do you weigh most heavily when deciding between renting and owning in today's market?