Stats › Long run returns › Housing vs stocks
US house prices rose 417% since 1987, 73% after inflation
Inflation consumed most of the nominal gain. A 417% headline becomes 73% in purchasing power. Source: S&P Cotality Case-Shiller via Advisor Perspectives, April 2026 data.
A house price index measures price, not the return an owner earns. US prices have risen more than fourfold since 1987, and by less than three quarters once inflation is removed. Most of the headline is inflation, and the rest is borrowed money.
+417%Since 1987, nominal
+73%After inflation
+0.8% nominalYear to April 2026
11Months of real decline
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