Where Is Homeownership Most Accessible for Young People? 2026

National trends in young homeownership

Despite ongoing affordability challenges, young adults continue to play a meaningful role in the housing market. Americans under 35 account for 36% of all home purchase loans nationwide, while their share of homeownership among all age groups stands at 14%.

The data reveals a nuanced picture of young Americans' path to homeownership. From 2020 to 2024, the share of homeowners under 35 increased by 4.8%, suggesting that younger buyers found ways to enter the market despite a sharp rise in housing costs. More recently, however, that progress appears to be slowing. Between 2023 and 2024, the under-35 homeownership rate declined by 0.4%, raising questions about whether affordability pressures are beginning to outweigh gains made in recent years.

“Two young households with similar incomes can end up on very different financial trajectories simply because of where they live,” said Nadia Evangelou, principal economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of Realtors. “One starts building equity in their early 30s, while the other may spend much longer renting and waiting for ownership opportunities. The affordability gap we are seeing across metro areas is increasingly becoming a wealth building gap.”

Geography remains one of the strongest predictors of homeownership accessibility. In some metro areas, home prices remain relatively aligned with local incomes, financing programs help reduce barriers to entry, and younger buyers account for a substantial share of home purchases. In others, housing costs have far outpaced earnings, creating a widening gap between aspiring homeowners and the realities of the market.

Read on to learn more about the metros offering the strongest pathways to homeownership for young buyers — and the places where affordability remains a significant obstacle.

Metros where young homeownership is most accessible

While affordability headwinds have begun to stall progress on a national scale, our analysis identifies geographical havens where the path to the American Dream remains wide open. These areas stand out for having a high share of homeowners under 35, a high percentage of mortgage loans taken out by younger buyers, or both. Based on our research and data, here are the 10 metropolitan areas where entry into the housing market is most accessible.

1. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge claims the No. 1 spot this year, climbing 18 spots in the rankings from 2025. The metro area is defined by a nation-leading under-35 homeownership rate of 22.1%. This is up significantly from last year’s study, when the rate was 17.6%. Baton Rouge also has the sixth-highest percentage of home purchase loans taken out by under-35 applicants (43.3%).

Supplementary statistics show one possible reason young buyers can enter the market: The median home sale price at the time of analysis was $253,634, the eighth lowest of any metro area we researched.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 22.1% (highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 43.3% (sixth highest)

2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas

The McAllen metro area is currently the nation’s powerhouse for youth buying activity. An incredible 46.3% of all home purchase loans in this market go to buyers under 35 — the highest share of any metro in the study. Plus, about one in five homeowners with a mortgage is in this age bracket.

It doesn’t directly affect the ranking, but it’s worth pointing out that the median home sale price of $209,859 is the lowest of the 100 biggest metros in the U.S. Federal Housing Administration loans seem to be especially popular among younger buyers: 48.9% of these loans, which can have down payments as low as 3.5%, were given to applicants under 35.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 20.1% (second highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 46.3% (highest)

3. Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, Michigan

Grand Rapids is the top-ranking metro for young homebuyers in the Midwest. The under-35 ownership rate of 19.1% is supported by one of the higher median household incomes of metros in the top 10, at $73,765. The relatively high income keeps the home-price-to-income ratio below average.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 19.1% (third highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 45.9% (second highest)

4. El Paso, Texas

El Paso gets a massive 35-spot jump in the rankings this year, with top 10 finishes in both the metrics we examined. Buyers under 35 utilize a large number of VA home loans; El Paso trails only three metros in the percentage of these loans, backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, that go to applicants under 35. Also, the metro area’s $246,675 median home sale price is one of the lowest in the U.S.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 17.8% (sixth highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 44.8% (fifth highest)

5. Salt Lake City-Murray, Utah

Only five of the 100 most populous metros finish with top 10 rankings in both metrics of our study — Salt Lake City is one. A high share of homeowners with mortgages are under 35, and a sizable percentage of home loans go to younger applicants. This is in spite of the area having a median home sale price of over $533,000 — by far the highest of any metro that finishes in the top 10 for homeownership accessibility.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 17.5% (eighth highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 42.7% (seventh highest)

6. Buffalo-Cheektowaga, New York

Buffalo is the top location for young buyers in the Northeast, moving up 15 spots from last year. Close to 46% of all home purchase loans are taken out by people under 35 — the third-highest percentage in the U.S. These buyers benefit from home prices that are, on balance, lower than in other large U.S. metros. The median sale price, $244,206, combined with the median younger household income of just over $57,000, gives a home-price-to-income ratio that is 14th lowest out of the 100 metros.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 15.4%
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 45.7% (third highest)

7. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, like the metro just ahead of it in the rankings, has a high percentage of home loans going to younger purchasers. One likely reason: The ratio of median home sale price to median young household income (3.5) is the lowest in the country, making it easier to qualify for a loan. Additional data shows that applicants under 35 take out a high percentage of all conventional loans issued in the Pittsburgh area.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 15.5%
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 44.9% (fourth highest)

8. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is the only metro in the top 10 that maintains its exact position from last year. Young people secure 42.6% of all home purchase loans, the eighth-highest rate in the nation. Mortgage applicants are helped by lower home prices — the median sale price, at just under $286,000, is 23% lower than the national median. Incomes among younger households are right around the national median.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 16.4%
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 42.6% (eighth highest)

9. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Nearly 18% of homeowners with a mortgage in the Colorado Springs area are under 35, the seventh-highest rate, despite home prices being on the expensive side. Of the top 10 metros, it sees the highest number (2,089 in 2024) and highest percentage (41.9%) of VA loans going to borrowers under 35. (El Paso County, Colorado, has one of the highest populations of veterans in the U.S.)

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 17.6% (seventh highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 39.7%

10. Bakersfield-Delano, California

There are 12 California metros among the 100 biggest in the U.S. 10 finish at No. 75 or below on our list, one at No. 33, and one — Bakersfield — in the top 10. About one of every six homes with a mortgage is owned by someone under 35, and 41.3% of home purchase loans are taken out by younger applicants. Young borrowers take out over 45% of FHA loans, the third-highest percentage of all metros.

• Homeownership rate among people under 35: 16.6% (10th highest)
• Share of home purchase loans taken out by applicants under 35: 41.3%

Metros where young homeownership is least accessible

The metro areas where homeownership is most accessible to younger people are spread across each region of the country. On the other hand, the least welcoming metros are overwhelmingly concentrated in California and Florida, where housing costs and other barriers have made homeownership less achievable.

The metros where homeownership is least accessible for younger buyers are:

1. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida
2. Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, California
3. Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Sunrise, Florida
4. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach, Florida
5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, California
6. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
7. Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, Connecticut
8. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California
9. Oakland-Fremont-Berkeley, California
10. Stockton-Lodi, California

Why aren’t young people buying homes in these areas?

Supporting data from metros at the bottom of our rankings underscores how high housing costs have pushed homeownership out of reach for many young adults. In California, metros like Los Angeles and Oakland have home price-to-income ratios that approach 13-to-1. In three metro areas — San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco — the median sale price exceeds $1.2 million.

Florida presents a different affordability challenge. In markets like North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota — the least accessible metro in our study — young buyers face expensive insurance costs. "A lot of first-time homebuyers are still on the fence, waiting for relief on insurance rates, taxes and the overall cost of ownership," said Cole Murray, a real estate agent based in North Port. As climate-related risks continue to drive insurance premiums higher, many prospective buyers are finding that the true cost of homeownership extends far beyond the mortgage payment. In these regions, the path to homeownership isn't just difficult — for many, it is becoming impossible.

Data: Homeownership access by metro area

Our 2026 analysis reveals that while certain metros offer the best paths to homeownership for young people, many of the largest population centers put more obstacles in the way. Of the 20 largest metro areas in the U.S., only one ranks in the top 15 for young buyers (Minneapolis, No. 13). Of the 10 largest metros, the next highest-ranking on our list after Minneapolis is Chicago, at No. 49.

The data also highlights how quickly the homeownership picture can change in a given area. Birmingham, Alabama, had the biggest year-over-year jump, from No. 55 to No. 17, and the top 10 metros include eight that were outside it last year. Meanwhile, Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina, fell the most, from No. 36 to No. 65, and a top 10 city from last year, Tulsa, Oklahoma, dropped from No. 4 all the way to No. 22.

Use the table below to see how the 100 largest metros stack up for the next generation of homeowners.

Tips for young homebuyers

While higher home prices and other constraints, like a shortage of starter homes, have created roadblocks for young Americans, the dream of owning a home isn't dead — it just requires a more tactical approach. Navigating today’s market means looking beyond the listing price and understanding the specific financial levers that can turn a renter into a homeowner. By aligning your expectations with local economic realities, you can make homeownership a more realistic goal.

• Know how much you can afford. Finance experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing. Use a mortgage calculator that factors in your down payment, rate, loan amount and other variables to estimate your monthly payment. Knowing the income needed to afford a home can also help you set a realistic budget. Look beyond the monthly mortgage payment by factoring in local property taxes and homeowners insurance to avoid financial strain.
• Get preapproved and shop for products. Evangelou, from NAR, recommends shopping around for mortgage products that fit your specific needs and getting preapproved. Don't assume one size fits all; different lenders offer different loan types, including loans specifically for first-time homebuyers.
• Explore federal and local programs. Forget what you’ve been told about needing a 20% down payment; many young buyers enter the market with less than 15% down with FHA, VA or USDA loans, or using local assistance programs.
• Look for supply at your price point. Evangelou notes that general inventory is less important than "affordable listings" — homes priced specifically for what middle-income earners can afford.

Methodology

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team analyzed data from 100 of the most populous U.S. metro areas to identify where homeownership is most attainable for people under 35. Our study focused on two metrics, each weighed at 50%.

• Homeownership rate: This is the percentage of all owner-occupied units with a mortgage that have a householder under 35. This excludes homes without a mortgage. Mortgage-free ownership is excluded from our percentage in order to emphasize market entry accessibility. Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2024).
• Buying activity: This is the percentage of all home purchase loans that are taken out by applicants under 35. This data provides a real-time look at who is successfully financing home purchases in the current market. It comes from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, made available by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (2024).

For each metric, the metro with the highest percentage scored the maximum 50 points, and the metro with the lowest percentage was given a score of zero. Other metros received proportionally scaled scores based on where they fell within the overall range.

Our analysis also incorporated the following supplementary data points for context:

• Median home sale prices from Zillow (April 2026)
• Median household income for householders under 44 (including under 25 and 25 to 44 age groups) from the U.S. Census Bureau (2024)
• Home-price-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the local median home price by the median income of younger households
• Trends in homeownership rates from 2020 to 2024 to track long-term momentum and recent shifts
• Loan type distribution, including the number of conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans taken out by borrowers under 35 and the share of these loans taken out by borrowers under 35

Reference policy

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For questions about the data or if you’d like to set up an interview, please contact jrodriguez@consumeraffairs.com.