Research Finds ‘1 In 5’ Gen Z Adults Are Buying Homes In 2026

Despite overwhelming financial odds, Gen Z is discovering ways to break into the toughest housing market in decades. 

According to Pew Research, 69% of Americans in September 2024 were “very concerned” about the cost of housing. The cause? Pew has also found that fewer starter homes are being built compared to two decades ago, and the median home price has massively outpaced incomes for those under the age of 40.

The pessimism doesn’t end there. According to the 2026 National Association of Realtors Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report, Gen Z made up only 4% of buyers in today’s market, and the number of first-time buyers has declined.

However, a surprising trend has shaken up these fears. The July 2026 Mortgage Monitor report by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., an American financial services company, found that “Gen Z accounted for 1 in 5 purchase rate locks in Q2 2026 — the largest share on record.” 

The report found that Gen Z and Millennials account for two-thirds of purchase mortgage lending. The data also showed that there has been a rise in homebuyers using sources other than personal savings to finance their down payment, such as a family gift or loan.

Gen Z has found other non-traditional strategies to push themselves closer to homeownership. Bank of America’s 2025 Homebuyer Insights report found that 30% of Gen Z took on an extra job to afford their down payment, and 22% purchased a home alongside a sibling to lower costs.

According to the most recent National Housing Market Indicators report by the U.S. Office of Policy Development and Research, the purchases of new homes increased while sales of existing homes decreased overall in April 2026, which could have a positive effect on the younger generation.

The NAR survey from last year found that Gen Z and younger Millennials tend to purchase older homes. This aligns with a larger trend of young people opting for fixer-uppers that they can make their own, according to NPR.

Furthermore, the 2026 NAR report found that Gen Z has the highest share of single female buyers, a staggering 35%. They are the only generation where married couples don’t lead in homeownership, and they are also the most racially diverse generation of buyers.

“Gen Zers are absolutely crushing it when we think about singles purchasing homes in this housing market compared to millennials at the same age,” Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at NAR, told Fortune.

Whether through loans, financial aid programs, gifts, inheritance, aggressive saving, working multiple jobs, or moving to more affordable areas, Gen Z is having to get crafty in order to overcome this economy.