For those preparing to move to Henderson, next to Las Vegas, the biggest concern is often.

"Should I rent first? Or is it better to buy a home now?" If I were in that situation, I would lose sleep over it, so I started looking at the numbers one by one.

First, let's look at renting. According to Zillow, the median rent in Henderson is about $2,300.

It has remained at a similar level without significant changes over the past year. Other real estate data shows some places reporting around $2,200, so overall, you can think of it as approximately $2,250 per month for a 2-bedroom.

So what about home prices? According to Redfin, the median home sale price is about $490,000. This is down about 0.8% from a year ago.

Zillow's average home value is about $460,000, which has decreased by about 8% compared to last year. Many experts believe that the significant increase in home prices during the COVID period is now undergoing a normal price adjustment. For those who have been waiting to buy a home, this could be seen as a time when the burden has slightly decreased.

A commonly referenced indicator in such situations is the Price-to-Rent Ratio. Simply put, it is the value obtained by dividing the home price by the annual rent. Henderson has a ratio of about 17.6. Generally, a ratio below 15 indicates that buying is advantageous, while above 20 suggests that renting is better. Henderson is right in the middle but is slightly leaning towards a more favorable market for buying.

However, that doesn't mean you should buy a home without consideration. You also need to calculate the actual monthly expenses. Based on a home price of $475,000 with a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed rate of 6.75%, the principal and interest would amount to about $2,465 per month. Adding property taxes and homeowners insurance, the total monthly burden would be around $2,800.

With rent at $2,250, the difference is about $580. While that's not a small amount, compared to areas like California where the rent and mortgage difference exceeds $1,500, it's relatively small. This is why people say, "If it's livable, it might be worth buying."

But there's one more thing to consider: the down payment. You would be putting about $95,000 into the home, but what if you invested that money elsewhere? Assuming a return of about 7%, you could expect an investment return of about $6,600 per year. So when buying a home, you need to consider not just the monthly burden but also this opportunity cost.

Still, there are clear reasons why Henderson remains popular. It is quieter and safer than Las Vegas, and the school district is among the best in Nevada. This is why many Korean families raising children choose to live here. There are many parks, well-maintained roads, and convenient access to shopping and healthcare, making it a city with high resident satisfaction.

In my personal opinion, if you plan to live in the U.S. for a long time and have a stable job, now is a good time to consider buying while prices are adjusting. Conversely, if there is a possibility of changing jobs, visa issues, or uncertainty about your living environment, renting for a year to fully experience the neighborhood is also a very wise choice.

Ultimately, a home is not just an investment; it is a space where your family lives every day.

Be sure to consider whether you want to live in this neighborhood long-term, whether commuting is convenient, and whether the schools for your children are satisfactory.

Given that the difference between renting and buying is not significant right now, I would say Henderson is an attractive city for those considering long-term residency.