Homeownership Boosts Wealth by 22.5% by Age 50
Buying a home earlier in life can significantly boost your wealth later on—but by how much?
The “2026 Generational Wealth & Housing Report”, published March 12, 2026, by Realtor.com®, quantifies this early homeownership boost. It finds that purchasing a home by age 30 is linked to a 22.5% higher net worth by the age of 50.
Delaying a home purchase until your mid-thirties (between the ages of 33 and 37) more than halves that wealth increase to 11.2%, according to the study. Purchasing your first home aged 38-42 boosts wealth by just 1.5%, while buying after age 43 results in no increased wealth at all by age 50.
More generally, wealth accumulated by homeowners by the time they are 50 far exceeds that of renters. Analysis by Realtor.com of the “Survey of Consumer Finances,” published by the US Federal Reserve Board on November 2, 2023, shows the average net worth of owners was 38 times greater than renters of the same age between 1989 and 2022.
Homeownership also accelerates intergenerational wealth accumulation, according to the Realtor.com report, which finds that children raised in homeowner households are 18.4% more likely to become homeowners by age 35 than those brought up in renter households.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to support family members who want to enter the market, Sotheby's International Realty® affiliated agents have the insight and network to support your property goals today—and into the future.
