Real estate is leveraged - often times in the US 33:1. Stocks aren't. You also have to factor in that it's a hedge against inflation on rent, and that part of

Real estate is leveraged - often times in the US 33:1. Stocks aren't. You also have to factor in that it's a hedge against inflation on rent, and that part of your rent payment is going to principal, and that your mortgage interest is tax deductible. If you think the average return for the S&P 500 unleveraged beats owning a PRIMARY RESIDENCE on 5:1 leverage, when your marginal tax rate is 45%, and interest rates are 2.7% on a 30-year fixed... I guess time will tell, but it is INCREDIBLY unlikely.