Ethereum vs Real estate
Since Jun 2016, $10,000 in Ethereum grew to $1,267,866 (61.6% a year) and $10,000 in US home prices to $18,507 (6.3% 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 Ethereum in Jun 2016 is now worth
Ethereum came out on top, 68.5× US home prices, which reached $18,507. Just keeping up with prices needed $13,854, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | $1,267,866 | 61.6% | 12,579% | −90% (Dec 2018) |
| Real estate | $18,507 | 6.3% | 85% | −2% (Jan 2023) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: Ethereum, Ethereum monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars (staking rewards not included); 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 Jun 2016, Ethereum came out ahead with 61.6% a year against 6.3%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Ethereum. Starting dates matter: across all 62 5-year stretches in the data, Ethereum beat US home prices 89% of the time.
| Period | Ethereum | Real estate |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -43.2% | 1.9% |
| Last 5 years | -2.9% | 4.9% |
| Last 10 years | 65.4% | 6.3% |
| Since 2016 | 61.6% | 6.3% |
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 Ethereum it would now be worth $184,932; 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 90% for Ethereum, around Dec 2018, and 2% for US home prices, around Jan 2023. Ethereum asked more patience of its owners. These use monthly averages, so the worst single days were a little deeper.
What the numbers measure
- Ethereum: Ethereum monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars (staking rewards not included).
- 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
Ethereum or real estate: which has been the better investment?
Since Jun 2016, Ethereum has returned more: 61.6% a year against 6.3% for US home prices. Over the last 10 years, Ethereum came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Ethereum beat US home prices 89% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Ethereum or US home prices?
By the deepest fall from a high, Ethereum: Ethereum dropped as much as 90% (around Dec 2018) and US home prices as much as 2% (around Jan 2023), using monthly averages.
How much would $10,000 in Ethereum be worth today?
$10,000 put into Ethereum in Jun 2016 would be worth about $1,267,866 by Jul 2026. The same money in US home prices would be about $18,507. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Ethereum or US home prices?
$100 a month from Jul 2016 to Jul 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Ethereum it would now be about $184,932; in US home prices, about $16,225.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
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