S&P500 index is propped up by about 7 companies that make no material value with P/E ratios of about 3% for the market average.

Quote from @Robert Bishop: Quote from @Caleb Brown: I would still focus heavy on stocks/index funds.

I would be happy just throwing my money into index funds if that makes the most sense, I'm just not well educated in the area of passive income enough to feel confident in any decision. 

I'd be willing to bet buying an index fund would have a better return without any of the headaches. 

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

I look at real estate as fixed income with the goal of 50/50 fixed income (real estate) vs. index funds.

There are also other websites that have a Cost of Living index or other comparison tools.

I tend not to put my money in things I don't fully understand so I'm putting my money in HYSA and index funds for now.  

Yes you also get appreciation, but when a total stock market index like  (IVV) returns 30% over the last year and 90% over the last 5, I have a hard time advising someone to buy a property for all cash to receive 5.3% along with the risk, property mgmt etc.  

Midwest has inflated over the past 5 years (as everywhere else), indexed to cost of new construction.