10 States Where Home Equity Dominates Household Wealth
High home equity can significantly boost your net worth — but when most of your wealth is locked inside your house, it can also limit flexibility.
A recent analysis from SmartAsset showed that in some states, homeowners are far more equity-rich than cash-rich. For example, in California, high housing costs have translated to a median home equity of $550,000 — outsized compared to the median household net worth of $273,800 once debts and non-housing assets are factored in.
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Here's a look at the states where homeowners hold the most equity, alongside how that equity compares with overall household net worth.
1. Hawaii
Median home equity: $600,000
Median net worth: $692,700
2. California
Median home equity: $550,000
Median net worth: $273,800
3. Massachusetts
Median home equity: $400,000
Median net worth: $394,900
4. Washington
Median home equity: $392,000
Median net worth: $456,500
5. Colorado
Median home equity: $350,000
Median net worth: $370,000
6. Idaho
Median home equity: $303,100
Median net worth: $313,400
7. New Jersey
Median home equity: $300,000
Median net worth: $312,400
8. Utah
Median home equity: $300,000
Median net worth: $282,800
9. Maryland
Median home equity: $280,000
Median net worth: $330,500
10. Oregon
Median home equity: $270,000
Median net worth: $248,900
High home equity can be a sign of strong housing markets, but it can also leave households overexposed to real estate. For homeowners in these states, understanding how much wealth is tied up in property can help inform decisions about refinancing, downsizing or diversification.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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