If you are debating whether to rent or buy your first home: it is cheaper to rent. In fact, it's gotten even cheaper since last year. Steep home prices, high mortgage rates and marginally declining rental costs are making renting a studio-to -two bedroom apartment nearly $1,200 ($1,183) less expensive per month than buying a starter home in 47 out of the top 50 metros in the U.S., according to an analysis by Realtor.com. And that is nearly $500 cheaper per month to rent than even last year, when renting was the cheaper option in 45 states. Read more at the link in our bio.