Fewer and fewer young adults dare to dream of homeownership. That is, according to a recent report by Point2 Homes on Gen Z Homebuying Havens. As a division of Yardi Systems, Point2 covers real estate trends and news, taking public records, online research, and other data sources to release relevant industry studies.
In this report, data was collected across 100 of the nation's largest cities to find which ones offer the most homebuying potential for Gen Z buyers (young adults under the age of 25).
Top 10 Metros Where it's Easier for Gen Z to Become Homeowners
Point2 used several metrics to determine the feasibility of Gen Z homeownership:
- Home price-to-income ratio
- Median sale price difference
- Inventory
- Share of homes sold above listing price
- Days on market
- Homeownership rate
- Unemployment rate
The weighted averages were then used to calculate the cities where adults under 25 had the best chance of buying a home. To get a more detailed picture of the metrics, click here to view the full report or scroll to the bottom of this article to see the entire table. Here are the top 10 cities found:
1. Fort Wayne, Ind.
With its current Gen Z homeownership rate of 14 percent, Fort Wayne, Ind., is the easiest place for young adults to become homeowners. The weighted score for Fort Wayne sits at 84.20 (out of 100), with a home price-to-income ratio of 4.8 and a home price change of –1.55%
2. Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas, has a score of 80.55 on the Point2 list. The Gen Z population has a 12.5% homeownership rate. The city's home price-to-income ratio is a similar 4.5 with a home price change of –0.05%
3. Detroit, Mich.
Though Detroit, Mich., has the highest Gen Z unemployment rate (11%) of the ten cities, it is third in the list for homeownership opportunity. The metro's weighted score is just below Corpus Christi at 80.53, with a home price-to-income ratio of 3.1 and a home price change of –6.10 percent. Its Gen Z homeownership rate is the second highest overall at 16.7%
4. Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas, is the second Texas city to make the list. Its Gen Z homeownership rate is 14.5% with no home price change year-over-year. The home price-to-income ratio sits at 6.1, leaving it total score at 78.70
5. Memphis, Tenn.
The homeownership rate for Gen Z adults in Memphis, Tenn., is 10.6% with a home price change of –2.23 percent. With a 5.3 ratio for home price-to-income, the city's weighted score reaches 77—taking fifth place.
6. Lincoln, Neb.
Lincoln, Neb., has an overall weighted score of 75.18, according to the report. Its low Gen Z unemployment rate of 4% aids in the demographic's homeownership rate of 12.8 percent. The city's home price change is the first of the list in the positives at 0.74%—and its home price-to-income ratio is 6.9
7. Durham, N.C.
Similar to Lincoln, Durham, N.C.'s low Gen Z unemployment rate (1.5%) is reflected in the city's Gen Z homeownership rate of 11.5 percent. Its home price change is the highest of the list at 4.31 percent. Durham's home price-to-income ratio is 6.4, leaving its overall score right above eighth place at 73.48
8. Fort Worth, Texas
Rounding out the Lone Star State's bunch is Fort Worth, Texas, coming in eighth for Gen Z homeownership. The rate of homeownership for adult Gen Z in the metro sits at 8.9% with a price-to-income ratio of 7.9. Fort Worth's year-over-year home price change is –2.94 percent, leaving its total score at 73.13
9. Aurora, Colo.
Aurora, Colo., takes ninth place in the list with a 72.78 score. It holds a Gen Z homeownership rate of 13.9 percent, a home price change of –1.09 percent, and a home price-to-income ratio of 8.3%
10. Scottsdale, Ariz.
Scottsdale, Ariz., is the tenth easiest city for Gen Z to become homeowners. Its impressive Gen Z homeownership rate of 17.5% is cut short by its high price-to-income ratio of 13.4. Overall, the city's home price change stands at 0.38% as Scottsdale rounds out the top ten with a score of 72.53