The cost of home renting vs. owning in Florida

Personal finance website GOBankingRates.com released a guide detailing how monthly rent compares to monthly mortgage payments across the U.S.

To see the price breakdown for all U.S. states, visit the GOBankingRates website.

The bottom line: It's cheaper to own a home than it is to rent one in 42 states, with renting more affordable in only eight states and the District of Columbia.

According to GOBankingRates.com, the average savings enjoyed by homeowners in Florida is $398 per month. In its five-stage ranking system – a lot more to own, a little more to own, about the same, a little more to rent and a lot more to rent – Florida is one of 24 states in the "a lot more to rent" category.

"The good news is mortgage rates are near historic lows," says Kristen Bonner, lead researcher on the study. "Unfortunately, Americans are still running into road blocks with being able to save enough money to afford a down payment, and are therefore forced to rent."

The study compared median rent prices for single-family homes against the median list price of homes in each state. GOBankingRates assumed a 20 percent down payment for the median list price and applied a 30-year fixed-rate loan term. It also included the cost of property taxes and insurance.

States where renting is cheaper than owning