I guess we are coming at this from our own perspectives on renting & owning, since you are a renter and consider yourself " canny & wise", and someone like myself who has owned 14 rentals ( until this past year) is a " blind purchaser"  I started buying during the times of 16% interest, and over the years my renters paid off the mortgages, as well there was  considerable appreciation in the buildings themselves.  I will take your word that you invest the difference, but from experience, you are in the minority, and the vast majority spend it on vacations & dining out, because there were no forced savings.