Despite being the smallest generational group, Generation X—those born between 1965 and 1982—has had a major impact on the housing market over the last several years. Though they make up only 19% of the U.S. population, Gen Xers account for 24% of recent homebuyers, according to real estate marketing platform Realtor.com. Overall, about 60% of Gen Xers own their homes, and this is largely due to their sizable salaries compared with younger generations.
Gen X is the second-highest-earning generation, with an average annual income of $126,900 as of 2023, and this has allowed them to purchase larger homes (around 1,940 square feet, on average). But despite this wealth, Gen Xers still face a number of challenges when it comes to the housing market.
As the sandwich generation, Gen X is squeezed between supporting aging parents and helping adult children, a dynamic that shapes their housing decisions. A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that 54% of Gen Xers provide financial support to a parent or child, often complicating their ability to move, upgrade, or even pay off their home.
A recent survey from Realtor.com found that 30% of Gen Xers believe that financially supporting family members has made it impossible to buy a home or pay off their mortgage. Read more
