Feb 2, 2026 - News
How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Cleveland
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The average time it takes to save for a home down payment in Cleveland is roughly 5 years, according to a Realtor.com analysis.
Why it matters: A down payment is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.
State of play: The share of first-time buyers in the U.S. has fallen to a record low as inventory and affordability issues persist, according to the National Association of Realtors.
- It took the typical U.S. household nearly seven years to save for a median home down payment in 2025.
Zoom in: Cleveland has one of the shortest time frames when it comes to saving for a down payment among the country's 50 largest metros.
Zoom out: On the opposite end of the spectrum are California cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose, where it can take more than 30 years.
