Renting forever beats buying a home in today's market, even with rising rents. I've run the numbers on a 30-year mortgage with current interest rates and property taxes, and the total cost often exceeds what I'd pay in rent while investing the difference in index funds. Maintenance, insurance, and the risk of a housing downturn make ownership less of a sure bet than people think. But I might be missing something about the long-term equity gains that renters never see.