AD Mortgage Releases 10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study

Findings show homeownership outperforms renting in 80% of U.S. cities analyzed

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:26pm

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An extreme close-up of gleaming, interlocking metal gears and mechanical components, conveying the tangible, institutional power of the financial industry as a conceptual metaphor for the wealth-building benefits of homeownership.This detailed macro image of banking equipment and technology symbolizes the financial security and wealth-building potential that homeownership can provide over the long term.Fort Lauderdale Today

AD Mortgage, a leading wholesale lender, has released a new study analyzing the long-term financial outcomes of renting versus buying a home over a 10-year period across 250 U.S. cities. The study found that homeownership demonstrates a consistent financial advantage in the majority of markets, with buyers able to accumulate significant net wealth through home price appreciation and equity buildup.

Why it matters

This research provides valuable data-driven insights to help consumers make more informed decisions about whether to rent or buy a home, a major financial choice that can have long-term implications for wealth-building. The findings underscore how homeownership can serve as a powerful wealth-creation tool, especially in markets with strong home price appreciation.

The details

The 10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study evaluated the financial outcomes of renting versus buying over a decade, factoring in home price appreciation, interest rates, and equity accumulation. Even when assuming renters invest their available capital, the results consistently favored homeownership, with buying outperforming renting in 80% of the 250 cities analyzed. The study found that homeowners can accumulate significant net wealth over 10 years through a compounding effect of home price appreciation and principal paydown.

  • The study was released on April 14, 2026.

The players

AD Mortgage

A leading wholesale lender in the United States that offers a full spectrum of mortgage loan products.

Max Slyusarchuk

The CEO of AD Mortgage who stated the goal of the study is to provide data-backed perspectives to support more informed conversations between borrowers and mortgage professionals.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal with this study is to provide a clear, data-backed perspective on one of the most important financial decisions consumers face. By analyzing long-term outcomes, we aim to support more informed conversations between borrowers and mortgage professionals.”

— Max Slyusarchuk, CEO, AD Mortgage

What’s next

The full 10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study is available on the AD Mortgage website for consumers and mortgage professionals to review the detailed findings.

The takeaway

This comprehensive study demonstrates the significant long-term financial advantages of homeownership compared to renting, highlighting how buying a home can serve as a powerful wealth-building tool for consumers, especially in real estate markets with strong appreciation. The data-driven insights can help inform more strategic housing decisions.