Is real estate still the best investment in 2026? Is buying a home better than renting? According to Americans, the answer is yes. For the 14th consecutive year, real estate was ranked as the nation's favorite long-term investment, outperforming stocks, gold, bonds, and savings accounts.

If you've been wondering whether buying a home still makes sense in today's market, you're not alone. Between higher mortgage rates, affordability concerns, and nonstop headlines about the economy, many buyers are questioning whether now is the right time to invest in real estate.

The latest data suggests confidence in homeownership is making a strong comeback.

Real Estate Continues To Outperform Every Other Long-Term Investment

Every year, Gallup asks Americans a simple question:

"What is the best long-term investment?"

For the 14th year in a row, real estate finished in first place, ahead of stocks, gold, savings accounts, bonds, and even cryptocurrency.

That kind of consistency matters.

Think about everything Americans have experienced over the last 14 years:

• Record-low mortgage rates
• Rapid home price appreciation
• Inflation spikes
• Stock market volatility
• Economic uncertainty
• Multiple election cycles

Through all of it, real estate remained the investment people trusted most.

That isn't because housing markets never change. It's because homeownership has historically been one of the most reliable ways to build wealth over time.

As Michelle Egan, Head of Credit Solutions, Impact Finance at JPMorgan Chase, explains:

"Owning a home has long been considered one of the most reliable ways to build wealth."

Unlike rent payments that build equity for a landlord, monthly mortgage payments help homeowners build equity in an asset they own.

And while some local markets are experiencing slower appreciation or minor price adjustments, nationally home values continue to trend upward over the long run.

For buyers planning to stay in a home for several years, time in the market has historically mattered far more than timing the market perfectly.

Americans Are Becoming More Optimistic About Buying Again

Perhaps the most interesting trend in 2026 isn't just that Americans believe in real estate.

It's that more Americans once again believe buying beats renting.

According to Bank of America's latest Homebuyer Insights Report, 53% of Americans now say buying a home is better than renting or living with family.

That's the first time buying has held the majority opinion since 2023.

The shift may seem small, but it signals something important:

Consumer confidence in homeownership is returning.

The same report found:

• 90% believe a home is a valuable investment.
• 94% believe homeownership provides stability.
• More buyers are viewing ownership as a path toward long-term financial security.

After several years of uncertainty, many people are beginning to see buying a home less as a market timing decision and more as a long-term life decision.

The Value of Homeownership Goes Beyond Appreciation

Financial returns are only part of the equation.

Stocks can grow your portfolio.

A home can grow your portfolio while also giving you a place to build your life.

Homeownership offers benefits that don't show up on an investment statement:

• Stability and predictability
• Freedom to personalize your space
• Stronger community connections
• Protection against rising rents
• A place to raise a family and create memories
• The opportunity to build generational wealth

As Redfin economist Sheharyar Bokhari explains:

"For many homeowners, a home is more than a place to sleep and store belongings—it's a reflection of who they are."

That's one reason buying a home remains such an important goal for so many Americans, even during challenging affordability conditions.

What This Means for Los Angeles Area Buyers

For buyers throughout Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta, La Cañada Flintridge, and surrounding Los Angeles communities, the question isn't simply whether prices will rise next month or whether rates will fall next quarter.

The bigger question is:

Where do you want to be financially five or ten years from now?

Historically, homeowners who stayed in their homes through market cycles benefited from:

• Home appreciation
• Equity growth
• Fixed housing payments
• Long-term wealth creation

Waiting for the "perfect" market often means competing with more buyers later if affordability improves.

Bottom Line

For the 14th straight year, Americans named real estate the best long-term investment in the country.

At the same time, confidence in buying over renting is climbing again for the first time in years.

While every buyer's situation is different, the long-term case for homeownership remains remarkably strong.

If you're wondering what buying looks like in today's Los Angeles market, or whether it makes sense for your goals. Talking through your options may be the best first investment you make.