10 States Where Gen Z Can Afford To Buy Homes
Buying a home was once a kind of rite of passage – a symbol that you’d crossed over fully into middle-class adulthood and stability.
Today, it’s quite a different story, with nearly 75% of Americans being unable to afford a median-priced home, according to a 2025 report from the National Association of Home Builders. Millennials, Gen Xers and even boomers are feeling the pains of unaffordable housing, but of all the generations, Gen Z is hit the hardest.
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Survey after survey reveals that most Gen Zers can’t afford to buy a house, which is a bummer in itself, but what’s even more depressing is the fact that almost half of Gen Z is feeling like they’ll never be able to buy a house. In a 2024 Harris Poll survey cited by Fortune about the state of real estate, 46% of Gen Z respondents agreed with the statement: “No matter how hard I work, I will never be able to afford a home I really love.”
It may all feel lousy and impossible, but Gen Z has reason to be optimistic about one day owning a lovely home. Why? Because many Gen Zers are already doing it – and some are doing so while earning less than $60,000. In what states can they afford to pull this off?
A new study by Planera, a construction scheduling platform, found the percentage of Gen Z homeowners in each state. These are the 10 states with the largest share of young owners.
1. Iowa
Average house price: $227,700
Average annual income: $64,000
Percentage of young homeowners: 10.6%
2. Idaho
Average house price: $468,100
Average annual income: $62,900
Percentage of young homeowners: 10.6%
3. Nebraska
Average house price: $271,300
Average annual income: $67,600
Percentage of young homeowners: 111%
4. North Dakota
Average house price: $280,500
Average annual income: $76,000
Percentage of young homeowners: 11%
5. Tennessee
Average house price: $327,600
Average annual income: $71,900
Percentage of young homeowners: 11.5%
6. Delaware
Average house price: $396,200
Average annual income: $79,900
Percentage of young homeowners: 11.6%
7. Montana
Average house price: $455,300
Average annual income: $53,000
Percentage of young homeowners: 12.1%
8. Wyoming
Average house price: $355,600
Average annual income: $65,700
Percentage of young homeowners: 12.4%
9. South Dakota
Average house price: $312,000
Average annual income: $72,800
Percentage of young homeowners: 12.5%
10. South Carolina
Average house price: $300,500
Average annual income: $55,300
Percentage of young homeowners: 12.6%
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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