At best the mortgage payment would be a wash even after factoring in equity, more likely a losing proposition vs renting. As far as the fear of being squeezed down the road by rising rent prices, rent prices are almost certain to rise but that would only factor in to your rent vs buy calculation if you think house prices will be rising as well. If you think the market is softening (which in all likelihood it is) then it makes sense to take advantage of the low rent prices now, and then buy when rent prices start to go up....