Is there some kind of guideline for weighing item stats (Balance build in my case)? Such as 1 INT = 2 STR, 2 SPI = 5 AGI, etc.? I've seen the posts about end game items, but it would be nice to have a formula to go by as the game goes on.

I have been using to this point just adding the stats together, but INT and SPI get 2x their stat bonuses for comparing.

Are you trying to compare value of balance items with resto or feral?

Try elaborating. I don't really understand what you are saying, hopefully someone else will.

There are some formulas ferals use to compare the benefits of stats and effects like bonuses to AP or crit %, but it is a little more difficult with Balance.

If you are interested in raising your spell damage the only thing that is relevant is +dmg to spells. However, if you are looking to increase your sustained dps, you will need a larger mana pool, which means int, or significant regen, which usually means mana/5, but there are playstyles that get good benefit from spirit.

If you primarily cast at range, str and agi are almost useless, and even if you try to melee, odds are you will only have whatever str and agi happen to be on any good hybrid gear, like the PvP set.

Stamina is also very important.

The problem with a general formula for evaluating gear is that t will be completely subjective to what your needs are. The best idea is to figure out your playstyle, and what is most important to you then create a priority list like:
+dmg>int>sta>mana/5>spi>str>agi to use when evaluating gear.

The main reason you don't see too much on what to focus on leveling is that it usually doesn't matter, the level difference between the new gear you find and the old you were using is usually the biggest factor, and whatever you get you will level out of in a few weeks. Try touse whatever you come across and decide for yourself what favors your personal tastes and style best.

My play style is Balance and my usual confrontation goes like this: Cast Starfire, Faerie Fire, Moonfire, throw a Wrath if time, then melee until Moonfire wears off and hit it again. In groups I am usually a healer.

So what I have been doing is just adding up the item stats into points. If I get a chets piece that is 100 AC, 5 STR, 5 AGI, then it is considered to be worth 110 points (100+5+5). When I get something with INT/SPI, I assign double points. So say I get another chest piece that is 100 AC, 3 INT, 3 SPI, then is would be worth 112 points (100+3*2+3*2).

This probably doesn't make any sense. I guess I should stop worrying about it and just take the highest level gear? SOme quest items don't have levels though.

The problem with just adding like that is an item with very high feral stats will still have more points than something with ok caster stats, but the feral stats will be useless to you.

In general while leveling, dont buy anything in terms of armor or weapons, you will find enough, and don't spend too much time farming one instance for a drop when by level you should really be in the next instance.

For your playstyle, I recommend +dmg first, then equal weight to int/spirit, then stamina, then mana/5. Another interesting option might be keeping gear from a specific school, like "of nature's wrath" to help with particular spells (in this case wrath), you can specialize that way and get some big numbers quicker.

If u go down the balance path, then AC doesnt become a problem when u get ur 360%AC when u hit moonkin form ..so AC isnt that important..experiment even with some cloth if u like..its tempting to go cloth in moonkin form..especially for PvP(gettting some crazy 3k starfire critz..lol)..but leather armor is preferable over cloth

what is important for balance is :
+Intellect for a prolonged fight..as well as ur moonfire,starfire wraith end up burning out a lot of mana
+Spirit - for mana and health regen - spirit regen occurs if u dont cast spells, or interupt a spell u r casting (like when a priest heals a player and u dont need to heal them]) - vital for long fights - especially druid healers)
+healing/+damage(uses less overall mana to be effective - vital for long fights)
+mana regen (mana regen every 5 seconds) - will regen ur mana no mater if u r casting or not ..much more useful to balance
often u will find items with both damage and healing..thats a big PLUS for druids ...and obviously the higher the number the better

i speccd a moonkin out with full leather and +Int +Spi +Sta gear..i dont think i have ANY +Str or +Agi AT ALL....ending up with 3.5k hp and 6k mana ..a very effective damager or healer, leaving little room for error..but one that can last a long fight if needed...and if u dont draw too much aggro