The Case for Homeownership
Over the last 10 years, the median U.S. home price has climbed from $289,100 in April 2015 to $410,800 in April 2025 — a 42% increase, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In high-demand regions like the Northeast and major West Coast cities, the growth has been even more dramatic.
- In Los Angeles, a home purchased for $427,000 in 2015 is now worth approximately $951,000.
- In San Francisco, a property bought for $707,000 in 2005 could fetch $1.6 million today.
For homeowners - especially those with low or no mortgage debt, the returns have been impressive. Even if a mortgage isn’t fully paid off, rising property values have helped many Americans build substantial equity.
A Shifting Landscape
Despite these gains, the housing market is evolving. Elevated mortgage rates and stagnant prices in some regions have made buying less attractive for new entrants. Meanwhile, more affordable homes are beginning to appear in traditionally expensive markets, signaling a potential shift in value.
As the cost of borrowing remains high, some prospective buyers are reconsidering whether tying up capital in real estate is the best move - or if investing in diversified portfolios might offer better returns with more flexibility.
Would you like me to expand this into a full comparative analysis with stock market data or turn it into a newsletter or blog post format? I can tailor it to your audience or platform.