The huge difference is that you can't live in your stock portfolio, and if you put all your money there, you have to pay rent to live somewhere.

As long as you have stable enough income to cover your mortgage and other home-related expenses, owning your home offers multiple financial benefits:

1. Shelter without being subject to rent hikes

2. Appreciation over time

3. Forced savings as you grow your equity by paying down your mortgage

4. Emergency resource through, e.g., house hacking and/or reverse mortgage.