<prompt> Human: I looked throughout the PF RULES in the sidebar and some of the other featured posts but didnt come across something specific to this question. Without outside investments, is it always smarter to purchase a more expensive home to a cheaper home when the money is available?The title question is similar to real life numbers I am working with. The following is a few additional details: -I prefer to have a bit of cash in savings rather than zero mortgage so I wouldnt put 100 cash down. -Currently zero debt - finished school loans early-I am very inexperienced and too nervousanxious to put money into investments outside of my 401k. -Salary is roughly 70kyear w confidence of job stability-Still live with parents but looking to move out.Thanks in advance to anyone interested in answering.  <response>: You have to take into consideration the taxes, watersewer, and estimate utilities to see what you can best afford. The utilities in the house I have now and the taxes are about at least double what I paid when I was in my condo. square footage in condo was 900, sq ft here is about 1400 The taxes are triple. I come from a high tax, high property value state though, 100k houses dont exist here, and 200k houses are really in bad shape so my view is slanted based on that. 