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ealtor.com’s latest study shows a modest improvement over 2022, yet homeownership still feels distant for many. The average American now needs about seven years to save a down‑payment, up from the 12‑14 year peak seen in 2022. Even with a slowdown in price growth, the cost of a typical down‑payment in Q3 2025 was $30,400—more than twice the amount paid six years earlier.

    In high‑cost markets, the burden can exceed a full year of household income. On the California coast, a down‑payment can top $300,000 while median incomes hover between $100,000 and $150,000. In the nation’s priciest metros—Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco—saving for a down‑payment could take over three decades. Boston, New York and Seattle also see typical down‑payments above $120,000, outpacing local median earnings.

    Realtor.com derived these timelines by combining 2025 median household incomes, monthly median down‑payment figures and average personal savings rates. Nationwide, the savings rate fell to 5.1 % of income this year, down from 6.5 % five years ago, making it harder to set aside money. Despite this, affordability has improved relative to 2022, though it still lags the pre‑pandemic norm.

    Buyers eyeing a 2026 purchase—or those who want to move faster—might find the South and Sun Belt more attainable. In cities such as Atlanta, Tucson, Oklahoma City, Jacksonville and Birmingham, a down‑payment of $15,000–$22,000 can be saved in under five years. For a 2‑to‑4 year horizon, Virginia Beach, Memphis and Houston offer better prospects. Military‑heavy metros benefit from VA loans that require little or no down‑payment; San Antonio, the most affordable metro, has a median down‑payment of roughly $5,000, achievable in just over a year.

    Regardless of location, consistently setting money aside—no matter how small—can bring buyers closer to owning a home. “Building that financial cushion can make a real difference when buyers are ready to act,” says senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones.