Upshot: Is it better to rent or buy right now?

July 30, 2026

The New York Times

Is It Better to Rent or Buy? A Financial Calculator.

Our calculator, updated in July 2025, takes the most important costs associated with buying or renting and compares the two options.

By Mike Bostock, Shan Carter, Archie Tse and Francesca Paris

Consider subscribing to the weekly Good List, for ideas to add joy to your days.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

Tristan spinski for The New York Times

Do You Work in No Surprises Act Arbitration? Tell Us About It.

New York Times reporters are looking into how government contractors resolve medical billing disputes.

By Sarah Kliff and Margot Sanger-Katz

The New York Times

The Impending, Inescapable Deluge of A.I.

The number of A.I. chips that provide the computing power to advance the fast-evolving technology is doubling every nine months.

By Adam Satariano, Paul Mozur, Jacqueline Gu and Cade Metz

Illustration by Cecilia Erlich

Inflammation Keeps Us Alive. It's Also Making Us Sick.

The discovery that chronic inflammation is a cause of myriad illnesses could be this century's biggest medical breakthrough.

By Kim Tingley

The New York Times

The Fires in France and Spain Are Breaking Modern Records

Huge wildfires in France and Spain have grown to the largest either country has seen in decades, breaking modern records.

By Josh Holder and Samuel Granados

A wide view of a single-story house fully engulfed in flames at the test facility. Flames pour out of the windows and from beneath the roof. In the foreground, three people in protective gear, including yellow jackets and face masks and one hard hat, walk around the scene. Black smoke fills the air.

The New York Times

To Save Communities, This Lab Burns Down Houses

As wildfires intensify, threatening more people, a nonprofit is studying how to rethink homes and neighborhoods to prevent catastrophe.

By Mira Rojanasakul

POLLING AROUND THE NATION

The New York Times

President Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls

Track the latest approval rating and polls on Americans’ approval of President Trump.

By Annie Daniel, Jon Huang, Ruth Igielnik, Jasmine C. Lee, Alex Lemonides, Jonah Smith, Caroline Soler, Albert Sun and Rumsey Taylor

The New York Times

Michigan U.S. Senate Election 2026: Latest Polls

Track the latest polls in the Michigan U.S. Senate election.

Midterm Test

This question comes from a Times article. Click an answer to see if you’re right. (The link will be free.)

In November, Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s governor, will face the Republican nominee, Andy Biggs. Which candidate did Hobbs narrowly defeat to become governor in 2022?

Meghan McCain

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