Home prices are very low in the Covina area.  A nice entry level home is around $ 325,000.  Assuming a down payment of 3.5% and an interest rate of 4.25% the mortgage payment (principal and interest) would be approximately $ 1,543 with tax and insurance it would be close to $ 2,000.  Don't forget the tax benefit.

Rent in the area for an average home is a little over $ 1,800 and there is no tax benefit.

After the tax benefit the monthly mortgage is likely a little less than rental in the area.

I think that with such low home prices and low interest rates, buying far outweighs renting.