Has Real Estate or the Stock Market Performed Better Historically? (2024)

For the majority of U.S. history—or at least as far back as reliable information goes—housing prices have increased only slightly more than the level of inflation in the economy. Only during the period between 1990 and 2006, known as the Great Moderation, did housing returns rival those of the stock market. The stock market has consistently produced more booms and busts than the housing market, but it has also had better overall returns as well.

Any results derived from comparing the relative performance of stocks and real estate prices depend on the time period examined. Examining the returns from just the 21st century looks very different than returns that include most or all of the 20th century.

Key Takeaways

  • Stocks and real estate represent important paths to wealth for many Americans.
  • Historically, the stock market experiences higher growth than the real estate market, making it a better way to grow your money.
  • Stocks are more volatile than housing, making real estate a safer investment.
  • Stock earnings are taxed as capital gains when realized.
  • Stocks have no tangible value, whereas real estate does.

Stock Market vs. Housing Market Returns

The simplest way to compare stock and real estate is by examining the indexed performance of both markets. From March 1992 to March 2022, the U.S. average growth rate was 5.3%. The S&P 500 returned 9.65% annualized from the beginning of 1992 to the same period in 2022.

The inflation-adjusted appreciation on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) over the same 30-year period was 5.565% per year, and that's just for asset value. If you assume that dividends are reinvested, the returns are better than 8.044%. Over time, stocks outperformed real estate.

Or, consider the 47 years between 1975 and 2022. A $100 investment in the average home (as tracked by the Home Price Index from the Federal Housing Finance Agency [FHFA]) in the fourth quarter of 1975 would have grown to about $928 by the first quarter of 2022. A similar $100 investment in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1975 would yield approximately $19,351 in 2022, provided all dividends were reinvested.

While stock prices tend to have higher returns, they also incur capital gains taxes. On the other hand, there are significant tax advantages to buying a home.

Key Differences

While stock prices and housing prices both reflect the market value of an asset, one should not compare houses and stocks for market returns only. For one, stocks are historically more volatile than real estate, meaning that those higher returns may also come with higher risk.

Stocks represent an ownership interest in a publicly-traded company. They are not tangible, physical assets and serve no utility other than a store of value and a liquid security instrument. While there is some reason to believe that the overall stock market would gain in real (as opposed to nominal) value over time, there is little reason to believe that a single stock should grow in perpetuity.

Real estate is not like stocks. Some people speculate with real estate prices, but commercial and residential real estate serve tangible functions. People live in houses and condominiums. Businesses operate out of commercial property. Physical property has value.

This introduces two conflicting phenomena. On the one hand, existing real estate structures should naturally lose value over time through wear, tear, and depreciation. An unmodified home has no reason to grow in value over time; all of the floors, ceilings, appliances, and insulation age and become less valuable.

On the other hand, the average homes built in 2015 were arguably superior to the average homes built in 1915. While existing structures shouldn't gain value, new structures should be more valuable on the basis of their structural and functional improvements.

Advisor Insight

Doug Kinsey, CFP®, AIFA®, CIMA®
Artifex Financial Group, Dayton, OH

From 1968 to 2009 the average rate of appreciation for existing homes increased around 5.4% per year. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 averaged an 7.5% return; small cap stocks averaged 11.5% per year. The rate of inflation was around 4.6%. We don't expect real estate investments to grow much more than inflation.

But numbers don’t tell the whole performance story. You also have to look at the impact of tax advantages, income yield, and the fact that real estate investments often allow for significant leverage (you can finance a home purchase, putting no more than 20% of your own money down, for example). Of course, if you buy real estate directly, you also need to factor in your time in managing the property and maintenance and repair costs. Comparing the rates of return has to include all these elements.

What Happens to the Housing Market When the Stock Market Crashes?

The consequences of a stock market crash on the housing market can be mixed, depending on the scale of the crash. In some cases, falling equities can bring more money to the real estate market, as investors move to less risky assets. A prolonged crash is more likely to hurt real estate prices, as incomes fall and banks become more cautious with lending.

How Do You Invest in the Real Estate Market?

The most straightforward way to invest in the real estate market is to buy a house, although this represents a sizeable commitment for the typical retail investor. It is also possible to invest through a real estate mutual fund or REIT. These are funds that invest in a portfolio of rental properties and pass on the net income to their shareholders. This has the added benefit of diversification.

What Are the Benefits of Investing in Real Estate?

Real estate has higher risk-adjusted returns than the stock market. Although housing prices do not grow as quickly as equities, there is a comparatively lower chance of an investor losing their savings in a sudden real estate crash. However, housing crashes are still a possibility, as demonstrated in the 2008 Great Recession.

The Bottom Line

Although real estate and stocks have historically performed well, stocks outpace real estate in returns. Alternatively, stocks have experienced more peaks and valleys, making them a riskier investment. Despite their potential to generate sizeable returns, stocks have no tangible value; on the other hand, real estate is a valuable, tangible asset and profit generator. Which investment is best depends on more than just their returns; other factors must be considered. But if history is an indicator of future performance, both stand to produce attractive gains in the long run.

Has Real Estate or the Stock Market Performed Better Historically? (2024)

FAQs

Has Real Estate or the Stock Market Performed Better Historically? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

Do stocks or real estate perform better? ›

Many investors buy real estate and stocks to build wealth over time. While both provide the potential for substantial profits, they differ in rates of return, risk, liquidity and accessibility. Returns. Historically, stocks have offered better returns than real estate investments.

Do stocks or real estate have higher returns? ›

Although stock market returns generally outperform real estate investments by a significant amount over the long run, investors have to pay a price in the form of volatility.

Why do stocks beat real estate? ›

Historically, the stock market experiences higher growth than the real estate market, making it a better way to grow your money. Stocks are more volatile than housing, making real estate a safer investment. Stocks have no tangible value, whereas real estate does.

Does stock market or real estate make more millionaires? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

Do more people invest in stocks or real estate? ›

But that's not what those looking to increase their wealth actually did this year. In 2022, the No. 1 action Americans took to build wealth, stated by 27% of respondents, was investing in the stock market. Just 12% invested in real estate.

What is the difference between real estate and stock market? ›

Real Estate investment refers to investing in a property or tangible and real assets, which are often for the long term which is a lengthy process and illiquid, whereas Stock investment refers to investing money in a company by purchasing its share of stock and earning profit by selling the shares at a good price which ...

What is riskier real estate or stocks? ›

Volatility refers to how quickly prices move up and down, which causes large swings in value over short periods. Stock markets are historically more volatile than real estate, making them riskier investments.

Does real estate appreciate faster than inflation? ›

Looking at the data, inflation-adjusted returns, even factoring in inflation, have almost always been positive in history - meaning that price appreciation for real estate is greater than the inflation rate!

What is the main disadvantage of investing in real estate? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

Do 90% of millionaires come from real estate? ›

Billionaire industrialist Andrew Carnegie once said that 90% of millionaires got their wealth by investing in real estate. That alone should be enough for investors to at least consider this asset. But like any investment, real estate has both its pros and its cons.

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

Is real estate the best way to build wealth? ›

Residential real estate is unlikely to offer investors a higher return than a well-diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. Real estate's status as an illiquid bulk holding limits investor flexibility, and high transaction costs make a long investment horizon necessary.

Is real estate really the best investment? ›

On its own, real estate offers cash flow, tax breaks, equity building, competitive risk-adjusted returns, and a hedge against inflation. Real estate can also enhance a portfolio by lowering volatility through diversification, whether you invest in physical properties or REITs. Internal Revenue Service.

Do real estate stocks do well in a recession? ›

The FTSE Nareit All Equity index, consisting of REITs that exclude mortgages, generated a 15.9% annualized return during recessions and 22.7% in the year following the end of a downturn, according to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

What is the historical rate of return on real estate? ›

According to the S&P 500 Index, the average annual return on investment for residential real estate in the United States is 10.6 percent. Commercial real estate averages a slightly lower ROI of 9.5 percent, while REITs average a slightly higher 11.8 percent.

Is real estate more volatile than the stock market? ›

One of the key advantages of investing in real estate is the decreased volatility when compared to the stock market. Since volatility describes how bumpy or smooth an asset's price changes are, the more volatile an investment, the riskier it generally is, as risk and volatility are deeply intertwined.

Is it smart to invest all your money in real estate? ›

Real estate has proven itself a worthy investment that provides cash flow and appreciation over time. Whether you're an aggressive or conservative investor, it's a great way to diversify your portfolio and can pay off in the short-term and long-term.

What percentage of American wealth is in real estate? ›

Housing wealth is about one half of household net worth, and consumption is a considerable fraction (about two thirds) of Gross Domestic Product in the United States.

What is the relationship between real estate and stock market? ›

Do housing prices track the stock market? There's no official correlation between stock market performance and housing prices. However, overall economic indicators that result from a stock market crash can often reverberate to the property market once stocks dip below 20%.

Is real estate a good investment in 2023? ›

In my opinion, real estate is one intelligent option to consider in 2023, as it often has excellent returns, tax advantages and provides diversification even in the face of a challenging economic climate. Real estate also has the potential to compound your investment.

What makes real estate a unique asset compared to stocks and bonds? ›

Real estate is a unique asset in that every piece of land has its unique location and value. Potential to create both short-term cash flow and long-term appreciation. Property owners have control over the managerial decisions of the property.

Is real estate the safest form of investment? ›

If you want a quick answer: yes. Real estate is a generally safe option for many first-time investors. Every investment comes with some type of risk, including real estate. Investors have options for reducing their risk by diversifying their portfolio with different types of investments.

Why is real estate one of the safest investments? ›

Real estate markets are relatively stable

While the real estate market is also subject to some volatility, it is significantly less than in the case of stocks. This means that there is less risk associated with investing in real estate, which makes this type of investment safer.

Is real estate one of the safest investments? ›

Reason #1: Real Estate Is Least Risky

The real estate market has a low correlation with other key asset classes and is less volatile than other investment markets. Real estate becomes the “star” of investors' asset portfolios as a result of the greater returns per unit of risk that results from this.

Does real estate always beat inflation? ›

Why is Real Estate considered inflation-proof? Real Estate is often cited as the ideal solution for protecting one's money against inflation. And for a good reason: residential property is a tangible asset that, like all other products, increases in value in times of inflation.

Does real estate outperform inflation? ›

Real estate has historically provided a strong inflation hedge. Key to this is the ability for landlords to re-price rents upward. Higher construction and materials costs theoretically increase the replacement cost of existing assets while also restricting new supply, which tends to keep rents high.

Why real estate beats inflation? ›

Rental income: Real estate investments can provide a steady stream of rental income, which can also help beat inflation. Rents tend to increase over time, particularly in areas with strong job growth and population growth. This means that rental income can also increase over time, providing a hedge against inflation.

What is the biggest disadvantage of real estate? ›

High Cost: The biggest disadvantage with real estate investment is the high capital requirement. To get started, you need to provide for down payments, EMIs, insurance, property taxes, stamp duty and so on.

What are the pros and cons of real estate? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

What is the best option to invest money? ›

Best Investment Options in India
  1. Direct Equity – Stocks. Direct equity stocks are one of the best investment options for aggressive investors. ...
  2. Equity Mutual Funds. ...
  3. Equity Debt Funds. ...
  4. National Pension Scheme (NPS) ...
  5. Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  6. Bank Fixed Deposit. ...
  7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) ...
  8. Unit Linked Insurance Plans.

How much do top 1% realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

Do most millionaires inherit? ›

Dave Ramsey, personal finance expert and founder of Ramsey Solutions, says this myth of primarily inherited riches is “flat wrong.” When Ramsey's National Study of Millionaires asked where the riches came from, they found that a whopping 79% didn't receive any inheritance from parents or other family members.

Do most millionaires own their homes? ›

The overwhelming majority of millionaires own real estate, making it by far the most popular alternative asset class. That includes their own home, second homes, investment properties, and fractional ownership of investment properties through partners or programs like Arrived Homes and Roofstock One.

What do rich people invest in? ›

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

How do most millionaires get rich? ›

No matter how much their annual salary may be, most millionaires put their money where it will grow, usually in stocks, bonds, and other types of stable investments. Millionaires put their money into places where it will grow such as mutual funds, stocks and retirement accounts.

What is the 2% rule in real estate? ›

2% Rule. The 2% rule is the same as the 1% rule – it just uses a different number. The 2% rule states that the monthly rent for an investment property should be equal to or no less than 2% of the purchase price. Here's an example of the 2% rule for a home with the purchase price of $150,000: $150,000 x 0.02 = $3,000.

What is the most profitable part of real estate? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area.

What percentage of Americans own investment real estate? ›

According to data reported by the PEW Trust and originally gathered by CoreLogic, as of 2022, investment companies own about one fourth of all single-family homes. Last year, investor purchases accounted for 22% of American homes sold. This is significantly down from the 80% number in 2020-2021, why is this?

Do investors outperform the market? ›

The average investor may not have a very good chance of beating the market. Regular investors may be able to achieve better risk-adjusted returns by focusing on losing less. Consider using low-cost platforms, creating a portfolio with a purpose, and beware of headline risk.

Is there a correlation between real estate and the stock market? ›

Do housing prices track the stock market? There's no official correlation between stock market performance and housing prices. However, overall economic indicators that result from a stock market crash can often reverberate to the property market once stocks dip below 20%.

Should I sell stocks and buy real estate? ›

Many people consider selling stock for a down payment. While selling stock to buy a house is often a safe and even smart move, you shouldn't do it without understanding the tax implications. It's scary to sell off part of your stock portfolio, even if it's for another significant investment.

Is real estate a good way to fight inflation? ›

Real estate works well with inflation. This is because, as inflation rises, so do property values, and so does the amount a landlord can charge for rent. This results in the landlord earning a higher rental income over time. This helps to keep pace with the rise in inflation.

Do 90% of investors lose money? ›

Based on several brokers' studies, as many as 90% of traders are estimated to lose money in the markets. This can be an even higher failure rate if you look at day traders, forex traders, or options traders.

Is the stock market the best way to build wealth? ›

When you invest during the market's low points, you could see substantial returns when stock prices rebound. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to build wealth, and you could earn more than you might think. For example, during the Great Recession, many stocks experienced dramatic declines.

Why do most investors fail in stock market? ›

When investors invest in stocks rather than businesses: Investing in stocks based on the price trends and not bothering about the business is a big reason for failure at the stock market. Sometimes decisions based on the price of stocks might be deceptive and can cause loss to the investor.

Can I invest in real estate like stocks? ›

Buying Real Estate Stocks

Investing in stocks is a straightforward process. This can be accomplished through any online brokerage account. A major advantage of investing in real estate stocks is that you don't have to have as much money to get started as you would directly buying the physical property.

What is the best way to invest 50000? ›

Property investment is likely the best way to invest 50k. It would help if you spoke to a financial advisor before deciding to invest money. A savings account is the safest way to invest 50k. You need to know your risk tolerance before deciding where to invest 50k.

Is real estate riskier than bonds? ›

Equities and real estate generally subject investors to more risks than do bonds and money markets. They also provide the chance for better returns, requiring investors to perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine where their money is best held.

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