Gallup poll shows 38% of Americans favor real estate over stocks, despite S&P 500 averaging 11.5% annual returns since 1985.
Americans rank real estate as the best long-term investment, with 38% selecting it in a 2026 Gallup poll, far ahead of stocks and mutual funds at 20%. This preference persists despite the S&P 500 delivering an average annual return of 11.5% over the past 40 years.
Real estate has led Gallup’s annual survey every year since 2013. Before that, savings accounts and CDs were favored during the 2008 financial crisis, when the S&P 500 lost nearly 40% and housing markets collapsed. Gold and stocks have also seen shifts in popularity over time.
The poll highlights a disconnect between public sentiment and financial expert recommendations, which often prioritize equities for long-term growth.