Homeownership Considered Highest Gauge of Prosperity by Majority of Americans

A recent survey conducted by market research firm YouGov revealed that roughly three-quarters of Americans consider homeownership a higher achievement than having a career, children, or a college education. Of the 2,529 adults surveyed, 1,397 were homeowners, and two-thirds of those who did not own homes cited affordability concerns preventing them from making home purchases, The New York Times reports.

In the face of unrelenting market challenges, 58% of respondents said they would be willing to compromise by moving to a new state, buying a fixer-upper, or relocating to a less desirable location.

The survey, released in March for Bankrate.com, a financial services company, found that 74 percent of respondents ranked homeownership as the highest gauge of prosperity, above having a career (60 percent), children (40 percent) and a college education (35 percent).

Despite the rise of remote work, which has accelerated the migration from expensive coastal cities to more affordable inland housing markets, a majority of homeowners in the survey were satisfied with their choice: Seventy-two percent said they would buy their current home again.

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