Which is better, Gold or Mutual Fund?

It depends on your tax bracket, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Use the side-by-side calculator on this page to see which wins for your specific numbers.

How does this Gold vs Mutual Fund calculator work?

Enter your inputs (amount, rate, horizon) and the calculator computes the after-tax, inflation-adjusted outcome for both options side-by-side. Free, no signup.

Is this analysis US-specific?

Yes. All defaults are based on 2026 US tax brackets, IRS contribution limits, and Social Security wage base. Currency is USD with CAD/GBP/EUR/AUD optional.

Gold vs S&P 500

Gold vs S&P 500 — Which Builds More Wealth?

Stocks build wealth; gold preserves it during stock crashes. 5-10% gold in a portfolio reduces volatility without much return cost.

Verdict

S&P 500 wins on absolute return. Gold wins on inflation hedge during stagflation. Most portfolios are best served with 90-95% stocks + 5-10% gold; pure gold portfolios underperform long-term.

Side-by-side comparison

	Gold (ETF/Physical)	S&P 500 Index
30-year average return	~5%	~10%
Correlation with stocks	-0.1 (low)	+1.0
Inflation hedge	Yes	Moderate
Income generation	None	~2% dividend
Tax treatment (in taxable)	Collectibles 28%	LTCG 15-20%
Best for	Crash insurance, 5-10% allocation	Core growth, 60-90% allocation

Who should pick Gold (ETF/Physical)

Pre-retirees wanting downside insurance. Anyone over 60 who can’t afford a 50% stock crash. Anyone with concerns about USD debasement.

Who should pick S&P 500 Index

Anyone with a 10+ year horizon. Younger investors. Anyone whose alternative is HYSA cash.

Disclaimer. Comparison numbers depend on your tax bracket, state, and time horizon. Educational only — not personalized financial advice. See our Financial Disclaimer.

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