Since 2011, the average age of British citizens buying their first home in the United Kingdom (UK) increased by two years. In 2011, the average age for the country was 29, while in 2024, it reached ** years. Nevertheless, the average age varied in different regions.

Approximately ** percent of Americans aged 26 to 34 who bought a home were first-home buyers, whereas ** percent of home buyers between 35 and 44 bought their first home in that year. Gen Z and Millennial first-time buyers It is no surprise that many Gen Z (18 to 24 years old) and Millennial (25 to 43 years old) home buyers are mostly first-time home buyers. These home buyers are in the early stages of their careers, or still studying in some cases, and often struggling to repay student debt, so they need to save for many years before they afford a down payment. When do they sell? These generations tend to stay in their first homes for several years, which means that the majority of home sellers are older than them. The share of income needed to afford a trade-up home is significantly lower than the money needed for a starter home. A trade-up home is a larger and more expensive home, which homeowners often buy after living in their starter home, or their first home, for several years. This progression generally happens when homeowners have climbed the career ladder and increased their incomes.

In the 2 years to March 2023, the average age of first-time buyers was 32 years old.

Data on resident buyers who are persons that purchased a residential property in a market sale and filed their T1 tax return form: number of and incomes of residential property buyers, sale price, price-to-income ratio by the number of buyers as part of a sale, age groups, first-time home buyer status, buyer characteristics (sex, family type, immigration status, period of immigration, admission category).

The average age of first-time buyers (FTBs) in Ireland increased by 1.4 years between 2017 and 2023. In 2017, the average age of first-time homebuyers was 33.9 years. In 2023, the average homebuyer was 35.3 years old. During the same period, the age of second and subsequent borrowers experienced slightly less variation.

Nearly one out of four European consumers who were tenants in 2019, believed they would not be able to buy a home in the future. This belief was especially shared in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and the UK. However, those who did expect to eventually become first-home buyers believed it was more likely to happen once they passed the age of **. Indeed, in 2019, roughly ** percent of European respondents believed they had to wait until they were older than ** to be able to buy a property.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Unit Characteristics: Percent Homeowner by Age: from Age 25 to 34 (CXUHOMEOWNLB0403M) from 1990 to 2023 about consumer unit, age, homeownership, 25 years +, percent, and USA.

The price of new dwelling units in the United Kingdom was notably higher for former owner-occupiers than for first-time buyers in 2024. On average, properties bought by first-time buyers sold for 260,000 British pounds. Meanwhile, the average price paid by repeat buyers was 422,000 British pounds. Prices also varied depending on the property type. Flats and maisonettes in converted houses and terraced houses were the most affordable options for homebuyers.

This statistic shows the distribution of the French who made the first real estate purchase in 2016, according to the age group. We observe that more than 30% of the first-time buyers of real estate were between 25 and 28 years old.

The number of bonuses paid out compared to the number of total property completions by age group in the United Kingdom (UK) in the 'help to buy' scheme between December 2015 and June 2023 varied by age group. Those aged between 25 and 34 years old used the help to buy scheme and received bonuses as well as making property completions far more than any other age group; 25 to 34 year old's received over 482,231 bonuses and made approximately 370,120 property completions.

In 2024, the median income range between of more than 200,000 U.S. dollars was the largest share of homebuyers in the United States that year. Among them, almost ** percent were between 26 and 59 years old. The income range between 100,000 and 124,999 U.S. dollars was the second one with the largest share of homebuyers in the United States that year. Among them, ** percent were between 18 and 34 years old.

The homeownership rate was the highest among Americans in their early 70s and the lowest among people in their early 20s in 2023. In that year, approximately ** percent of individuals aged 70 to 75 resided in a residence they owned, compared to approximately **** percent among individuals under the age of 25. On average, **** percent of Americans lived in an owner-occupied home. The homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 but has since declined.

Among all home buyers in the United States in 2024, first time home buyers accounted for approximately ** percent of the total. The share of first time home buyers among all home buyers in the United States has fluctuated significantly between 2003 and 2024 having had the highest share of first time home buyers of ** percent in 2010.

Graph and download economic data for Homeownership Rate in the United States (RHORUSQ156N) from Q1 1965 to Q2 2025 about homeownership, housing, rate, and USA.

About 36 percent of homeowners in England were aged 65 and above, which contrasts sharply with younger age groups, particularly those under 35. Young adults between 25 and 35, made up 15 percent of homeowners and had a dramatically lower homeownership rate. The disparity highlights the growing challenges faced by younger generations in entering the property market, a trend that has significant implications for wealth distribution and social mobility. Barriers to homeownership for young adults The path to homeownership has become increasingly difficult for young adults in the UK. A 2023 survey revealed that mortgage affordability was the greatest obstacle to property purchase. This represents a 39 percent increase from 2021, reflecting the impact of rising house prices and mortgage rates. Despite these challenges, one in three young adults still aspire to get on the property ladder as soon as possible, though many have put their plans on hold. The need for additional financial support from family, friends, and lenders has become more prevalent, with one in five young adults acknowledging this necessity. Regional disparities and housing supply The housing market in England faces regional challenges, with North West England and the West Midlands experiencing the largest mismatch between housing supply and demand in 2023. This imbalance is evident in the discrepancy between new homes added to the housing stock and the number of new households formed. London, despite showing signs of housing shortage, has seen the largest difference between homes built and households formed. The construction of new homes has been volatile, with a significant drop in 2020, a rebound in 2021 and a gradual decline until 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Average Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States (ASPUS) from Q1 1963 to Q2 2025 about sales, housing, and USA.

In the 2 years to March 2023, White British households spent 28% of their weekly income on rent payments on average – the lowest percentage out of all ethnic groups.

Description: This metric examines how affordable the average First Time Buyer (FTB) priced property would be for a couple earning the average FTB disposable income by NUTS 2 Region, NUTS 3 Region and County, for each year between 2016 and 2021, with this ratio expressed as a percentage (i.e. average monthly mortgage repayment due on the average FTB priced property as a percentage of the average monthly disposable income of an FTB couple). This percentage should be compared relative to the standard affordability mark of 30% (i.e. housing costs should be below 30% of a household’s disposable income). For example, in the attached excel file, the data shows that the Border recorded an Average Mortgage Repayment to Disposable Income Ratio for First Time Buyers of 17.1% in 2021, which was below the standard affordability mark of 30%. This implies that a FTB couple from the Border – on average disposable income levels in the Border and adjusted to reflect incomes of people aged 40 or below in the Border – would only typically have to pay 17.1% of their joint monthly disposable income on their mortgage instalments on the average priced FTB property in the Border. In contrast, the corresponding ratio for Dublin and the Mid-East is 35% and 31.5%, which are both above the standard affordability mark and show that housing for FTBs – on average – is relatively unaffordable in these areas.Basic Calculations = (Average mortgage repayment on average FTB priced property / Average disposable income of a couple under the age of 40).For full detail on the methodology for the development of this ratio please see the RDM FAQ section.This ratio has been developed by the Regional Economist at the three Regional Assemblies and is primarily based on the CSO County Income and Regional GDP as well as the CSO Regional Property Price Index.Geography available in RDM: State, Regional Assembly and Strategic Planning Area (SPA), County (26).Source: Regional AssembliesWeblink: n/aDate of last source data update: April 2023Update Schedule: Annual

Graph and download economic data for Homeownership Rate for the United States (USHOWN) from 1984 to 2024 about homeownership, housing, rate, and USA.