Here on Long Island, NY, renting with one roommate is infinitely more profitable than owning a house:
Renting = $1,900 a month for brand new construction, centrally located 1br apartment including utilities
Owning = $3,300 a month for 2br dilapidated house, inclusive of property tax, home owners insurance, massive utility bill, and I haven't even factored in repairs of equipment from before 1960
Sure, you could rent out your basement and your bedroom for an extra $1500, but now you are running a hotel and have to report that income :)