Housing has become so expensive that it can take nearly a decade for people to save up for a 20% down payment, according to a recent survey by SmartAsset.
A recent survey by RealEstate.com highlights the cities where it will take first-time homebuyers the longest to save for a 20% down payment on an entry-level home.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, it looked at the 35 biggest metro areas and ranked them according to down payment affordability. The survey took into account median household income for buyers age 24 to 36 and annual savings rates for renters in each city, and here are the cities it found to be the least affordable:
- Portland, Oregon
- Annual family income (24- to 36-year-olds): $42,3000
- Annual savings: $5,288
- Median home value, entry level: $342,200
- 20% down payment: $69,440
- Years to save: 13 years, 2 months
- Denver, Colorado
- Annual family income (24- to 36-year-olds): $47,100
- Annual savings: $5,888
- Median home value, entry level: $365,600
- 20% down payment: $73,120
- Years to save: 12 years, 5 months
- San Jose, California
- Annual family income (24- to 36-year-olds): $94,900
- Annual savings: $18,980
- Median home value, entry level: $1,133,100
- 20% down payment: $226,620
- Years to save: 11 years, 11 months
- Riverside, California
- Annual family income (24- to 36-year-olds): $47,600
- Annual savings: $5,950
- Median home value, entry level: $306,200
- 20% down payment: $61,240
- Years to save: 10 years, 4 months
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Annual family income (24- to 36-year-olds): $41,900
- Annual savings: $5,238
- Median home value, entry level: $269,500
- 20% down payment: $53,900
- Years to save: 10 years, 3 months
