As others have said...it depends.

Metal is longer lasting. It is also heavier, requiring more sturdy underpinnings. Probably more expensive, also.

Shingles: not wood due to fire hazard and insurance problems. Asphalt or composition shingles can be attractive, long-lasting and competitive in price.

Also...if you are in an HOA...check the HOA requirements.

Metal. 

I'd say - metal. 

Metal they will last a lot longer. However I am not sure how nice they would be in a hail storm. lol

I like steel.

Most of our rentals and flips now have steel on them.

It depends.  Price not being an issue = Metal.

Otherwise, shingle (not wood).

Metal roofs are becoming a popular choice especially for waterfront homes. They are a bit more expensive but they will also last longer.

We have metal, due to fire concerns and snow  (snow makes quite a sound when it slides off!)

Here in Florida, I'd go with metal. It's surprising how many people don't even consider it and just stay with shingles or tile. 

Metal all the way.

Did I mention, if one can afford metal, they should give nothing else a second thought.
While they are at it, that would be a great time to have the roof decking foamed from beneath. This will make an incredible difference in heating and colling cost....example....duct-work will not be operating in an oven and no noise transfer.

Metal all the way.

Metal is supposed to last longer. The lines on the roof give the house a different feel. The buyer I had do new construction in Tennessee put on metal. Then he called to tell me that he had no cell reception in the house. I'm sure that was something no one thought of.

What about hail?

noisy, hot and not-cozy metal makes one run toward shingle-land

I don't see many metal roofs in my area, although I have seen some on commercial buildings.  My cousin went with a metal roof in Tennessee, so perhaps climate determines which one is better?  For me, the shingle is more affordable to maintain and/or replace.  My next roof though will be Solar through Tesla!!!

Metal roofs are good in snow country.  But not here in Phoenix with the summer heat.  Most roofs here are tile and they're are many shingle ones too.

Metal lasts longer, shingles look better.

Shingle, it looks better.

I'd say metal, it has a longtime warranty and holds up well in all weather conditions. Shingles heat up, start curling and deteriorate faster in incelement weather, especially gusting winds.

We went with metal. i got tired of replacing asphalt shingles that kept blowing off.

Metal, concrete and tile are required in many parts of San Diego due to wild fires and help with insurance. They last longer, are fire-proof, lower insurance rates and look like wood or traditional tiles.

Metal roofs have come a long way. I prefer traditional roofing. My concern on metal roofs is if there's a fire the metal roof would prevent the fire from going through the roof and just spread sideways

If cost wasn't a factor Metal, because the ones I've seen are rated for 100 years of use & that sounds like a lifetime! You won't have to worry about it again- and it's good for resale. They also look good.

The downside to metal rooves is there are lots of Oak Trees in CT & when the Acorns start to drop they will rain down on your metal roof & you will hear non stop pinging noises for weeks. A 2nd reason metal rooves may not be the best choice for you is, is it worth spending the money to get such a long lasting roof when you likely will not be living in that house or alive by the time it needs replacement. Is it overkill? I think it's just a cost-based & personal preference decision. 

Concrete tile is prevalent in my area. We get high winds and shingles are not particularly happy, those homes will not sell for as much as tile. Commercial buildings often have metal roofs. But we also have high heat so if you're going to have a metal roof you better have super good insulation. Actually same for tile.

Depends upon the house.  I do like the look of metal on the right place.  Others here have brought up climate considerations that should be weighed. 

Metal roofs last a lifetime, provide extra insulation if they are placed over the shingles and some of the styles look really good. Jeff

Depends on location. A

Metal roofs are great for the mountain areas in Utah but most people us the asphalt roof shingles. . . . .

I was going to say metal roof??? Are you crazy. I don't know that I've even heard of that here.  But I suppose some older/fancy buildings have copper that then oxidize and look nice as green.  But, I guess this must vary by location.  Metal seems like it would be loud.  Not sure how it works in the winter here.

Depends on location as to weather. In heavy snow metal is nice that it can be constructed to slide the weight off the roof, but it's hot in summer.

Shingles- wood are a fire problem in California

Shingles- concrete ( nine or ten pounds a square foot) or the many concrete with fluff in them come in many colors and last a long time

I live in a house with 1920's terra cotta spanish tiles and I love how it looks.. 

Style of house also determines what to pick not just cost or roof structure. So many choices...

I prefer the look of shingles on my home.  But I have made the decision to go with red metal on my next office roof.  Company colors are red, white and black and I plan to make the office blend with that.

I am wondering if you would hear the itter patter of rain or in the North sleet or hail with a metal roof?

Both have their place and varied costs. A lot depends on the HOA requirements, if any, and the needs of the environment in which the home is located.  A metal roof with a steep pitch makes sense in a snowy area, although it is more expensive than asphalt shingle.

Metal can be noisy when it rains.

We opted for the simulated slate product when we replaced our cedar shingles.

In the city, we see concrete tile or composite shingles.  We see a lot of hail, and a metal roof would be very noisy! 

I would go with Metal if I could afford to

Depends on HOA restrictions in many cases. Metal is becoming popular.

In my area I do not see metal roofs on primary residences.  Storage sheds yes, homes no.

Metal would seem more resilient, but from what I undertand, they can make it very loud inside the home if you get rainstorms often!  I love cedar shake, but a pain to maintain.....

I am not a fan of metal roofs and would never add shingles to a quality home.   I guess a new shingle roof would be preffered over a new metal roof but tile is best by far.

If I lived outside of the city limits...it would be metal...but with a sound deadening layer in between.  I also would remove any shingles prior to putting the metal on.

I actually like wooden shake. More insulative. With the flame retardent they are not cheap.

Are metal roofs like shingle roofs, in that insurance companies "suggest" they be replaced when there is still useable life left in them?  I prefer metal, but am not sure one could actually make use of the longer life span, due to insurance reasons.  By the way, I live in Central Florida, so hurricanes are a concern here.

I love the sound of a summer rain on a metal roof.