In 2006, an ounce of gold cost about $604. By early September 2026, it was trading around $4,400. But is that a good return on investment?
How does gold compare to saving cash?
The gold figures use the average price in each starting year against an early-September 2026 price of around $4,400 an ounce. The savings figures compound $1,000 at representative competitive high-yield rates as those rates changed over each period.
- Gold vs. savings value in September 2026
- $1,280 vs. $1,045 (invested 1 year ago).
- $2,450 vs. $1,180 (invested 5 years ago).
- $3,515 vs. $1,270 (invested 10 years ago).
- $7,280 vs. $1,570 (invested 20 years ago).
The World Gold Council publishes gold price averages going back to 1978.
Gold clearly wins by a significant margin. Does that mean you should invest in gold?
Gold and cash guard against different things
Cash keeps your money steady and available on any day. To date, gold has delivered growth but has also swung up and down.
One of the best ways to protect your savings is having money in different types of investments: ideally, ones that can go up when others are going down. For example, stocks tend to do poorly when inflation and interest rates are rising and there’s political turmoil brewing. Gold thrives in this scenario.
It’s important you deal with a trusted gold dealer with a long proven track record of assisting clients. Anthem Gold Group is committed to helping investors protect their wealth and retirement with physical precious metals. It offers gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins and bars delivered directly to your home.
Plus, enjoy up to $25,000 in complimentary gold and silver, along with waived IRA storage fees for up to 10 years.
Even Brian Kilmeade from Fox News trusts Anthem Gold to protect your cash and retirement accounts with physical gold and silver. Anthem Gold’s minimum to get started is $10,000. Gold has been hitting record highs in 2026. Why not take a look right now?
Making the most of your investments
Choosing the right mix of these assets may be guided by art, science or luck. However, Vanguard research puts a number on that gap between DIY investors and professional advisors. Working with an advisor may add about 3% in net returns over time.
Most of that edge is not sharper stock picking. It is steadier behavior: rebalancing on a schedule, keeping costs low, holding enough in high-yield cash for near-term needs while the rest stays invested, and not dumping an asset like gold in a panic when its price drops. Simple to name, hard to do alone.
If you are not sure your own mix is right, this may be the point to consult a professional who can weigh your whole picture before you change anything. If you have over $100,000 in savings, SmartAsset offers a free service that matches you to a vetted, fiduciary advisor bound to act in your best interests in under 5 minutes.
Aside from your portfolio, you may also like to keep cash on hand but earn while you save; SoFi offers a combined checking-and-savings account with no account fees. With eligible direct deposit or $5,000+ in qualifying deposits every 31 days, you can earn 3.10% APY on savings — many times the national average — plus 0.50% APY on checking.
New members may also qualify for a limited-time APY boost that lifts savings up to 3.80% APY for up to six months. (APY is variable and can change at any time.)
New members who set up qualifying direct deposit may also be eligible for a cash bonus of up to $400, based on the amount deposited. Terms apply — see details. Check out SoFi today.
Earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account between 3/31/26 and 12/31/26, then within 60 days of account opening receive an eligible direct deposit OR $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits. You must maintain eligible direct deposit or $5,000 in qualifying deposits every 31 days to keep the Boost, for up to 6 months. Rates variable, subject to change.
Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
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