Your rent is more than my mortgage, and while it’s not a very fair comparison, I live in the Midwest and housing here is cheaper, you’re still paying 5-7 times as much per square foot as I’m paying. So let’s balance it out, even if my costs doubled I would be paying half what you’re paying per square foot.

And yeah, over the next 15 years I’ll probably spend 10-15k in repairs.

I’m still spending significantly less per year.

That’s not to say you’re a sucker. Renting works for some people, some times it’s the only option you have. I have a stable career in a city I have no intention on ever leaving. If both of those things aren’t true sometimes it’s easier to rent.

You’re still paying for those repairs, you’re paying the taxes on the property, if utilities are included you’re paying for those too. Your landlord is absolutely not cutting you a deal on any of that stuff. The difference is you’re paying monthly, and upfront, and the difference goes to your landlord. Your landlord is also charging you enough they even after all of that, he still makes a profit.

I’m paying all at once when it’s needed, and I don’t spend anything extra, well at least no more then my wife demands, lol.