Using [3] October 2009 to present gives an annualized return of 13.763% and going back 20 years to include the great recession returns 12.06%.
Post-tax current-day value scenarios:
Starting in 2004 (20Y):
$500.00/mo: $418,349.29 $2,500.00/mo: $2,091,746.42
$500.00/mo: $252,413.58 $2,500.00/mo: $1,262,067.88
[2]: https://dqydj.com/sp-500-return-calculator/
[3]: https://dqydj.com/sp-500-periodic-reinvestment-calculator-di...
I don't know of any lower-risk and higher-interest alternative to the 30-years-fixed that is currently offered to US consumers, and based of the above answer, neither do you.