Renting feels simpler - no maintenance, no property taxes, easy to move. But every rent check you write builds someone else's equity, not yours. Over 5-10 years, that's often hundreds of thousands of dollars you'll never see again.

Buying comes with upfront costs and responsibilities, but it's also forced savings. Each mortgage payment builds equity, and historically, North Texas real estate has appreciated steadily - turning your housing expense into an investment.

This tool compares your true monthly costs (including all the hidden expenses on both sides) and shows you the wealth difference after your chosen time horizon. The numbers often surprise people.