Bitcoin vs Real estate
Since Aug 2015, $10,000 in Bitcoin grew to $2,536,592 (66.0% a year) and $10,000 in US home prices to $19,272 (6.2% a year). Try your own amount and dates, or add more assets.
Real monthly data through Jul 2026, updated monthly. How we calculate$10,000 put into Bitcoin in Aug 2015 is now worth
Bitcoin came out on top, 131.6× US home prices, which reached $19,272. Just keeping up with prices needed $14,012, and both did better. It ends in Jul 2026, the latest month with data for Real estate.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $2,536,592 | 66.0% | 25,266% | −76% (Feb 2019) |
| Real estate | $19,272 | 6.2% | 93% | −2% (Jan 2023) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: Bitcoin, Bitcoin monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars; Real estate, S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index: home prices only, without rent, mortgage, upkeep or taxes. Inflation uses the US Consumer Price Index. Monthly averages, data through Jul 2026; no fees or taxes. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which has done better?
Over the whole period both have data, since Aug 2015, Bitcoin came out ahead with 66.0% a year against 6.2%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Bitcoin. Starting dates matter: across all 72 5-year stretches in the data, Bitcoin beat US home prices 96% of the time.
| Period | Bitcoin | Real estate |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -44.6% | 1.9% |
| Last 5 years | 13.1% | 4.9% |
| Last 10 years | 57.9% | 6.3% |
| Since 2015 | 66.0% | 6.2% |
Yearly return, to Jul 2026. The higher one in each row is green.
Investing a little every month
$100 a month from Jul 2016 to Jul 2026 is 121 buys and $12,100 in total. In Bitcoin it would now be worth $136,466; in US home prices, $16,225. Monthly buying spreads the entry price, which matters most for the more volatile of the two.
Which is riskier?
The deepest fall from a high was 76% for Bitcoin, around Feb 2019, and 2% for US home prices, around Jan 2023. Bitcoin asked more patience of its owners. These use monthly averages, so the worst single days were a little deeper.
What the numbers measure
- Bitcoin: Bitcoin monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars.
- Real estate: S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index: home prices only, without rent, mortgage, upkeep or taxes.
No fees or taxes are included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Common questions
Bitcoin or real estate: which has been the better investment?
Since Aug 2015, Bitcoin has returned more: 66.0% a year against 6.2% for US home prices. Over the last 10 years, Bitcoin came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Bitcoin beat US home prices 96% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Bitcoin or US home prices?
By the deepest fall from a high, Bitcoin: Bitcoin dropped as much as 76% (around Feb 2019) and US home prices as much as 2% (around Jan 2023), using monthly averages.
How much would $10,000 in Bitcoin be worth today?
$10,000 put into Bitcoin in Aug 2015 would be worth about $2,536,592 by Jul 2026. The same money in US home prices would be about $19,272. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Bitcoin or US home prices?
$100 a month from Jul 2016 to Jul 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Bitcoin it would now be about $136,466; in US home prices, about $16,225.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
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