4/21: In bad home market, buying often now beats renting

New York Times: In bad home market, buying often now beats renting

For most of the last decade, renting a home has been a better financial move than buying one. An analysis by the New York Times provides a "rent ratio" comparison -- the purchase price of a house divided by the annual cost of renting a similar one. Using the number 20 as a basis point, a number above 20 points to renting; a ratio well below 20 is considered a good indication of when to buy.

In many metro areas, including Atlanta and areas of south Florida, the average ratio is now 16 or lower, compared with 25 a few years ago. Take a look at some of the cities here. (Note that in North Carolina's Charlotte and Raleigh, the basis is over 25, pointing to renting as a better deal, while Atlanta is ranked 14.9)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Electronic bingo bill passage still unclear in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Desegregation agreement discussed by attorney general, school leaders

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist to run as independent for Florida Senate

GEORGIA: State Senate preserves arts council funding

KENTUCKY: State launches project to exchange health information electronically

LOUISIANA: State has second-highest auto fatality rate in the nation

MISSISSIPPI: Universities in state to take a $100 million budget cut

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says legislators have to cut another 2% from budget

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators to talk about offshore drilling

TENNESSEE: Bill would ban guns in bars, but not in restaurants

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell expects battle over cutting spending for troubled kids

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