Deciding between buying a home or investing in the stock market can be challenging. Either will typically see the value of your investment increase over the long run, so the trick is figuring out which will produce the more significant increase in value. Historically, stocks have produced higher returns than real estate, so buying stocks will likely produce a better outcome if you’re looking purely for financial return. However, if the thought of homeownership appeals to you and you plan to own a home for a long time, buying can still be a good idea with financial benefits.