The reality is: House ownership & maintenance will take money out of your pocket;... and you are not free to pack up and move whenever you feel like it like when you rent.
(BUT: If home prices are depressed in your area; now is the time to buy.)
But the question is: can you comfortably afford to own a house without being financially strapped, living paycheck to paycheck; arguing with the missus.
Will buying a house tap you out so when an emergency comes up (and they will) will it be devastating? Or just an annoyance?
Let me say; it sucks to be poor or broke.
I own my house outright; have no debt; everything is upside; life is Great!
If I was to go back to my 20's I would have never got into debt trying to keep up with some sort of social expectations.
I would have saved, saved, saved, and invested, invested, invested and live life to the beat of my own drum.... Look poor; be rich.

__________________

"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"