Median age of first-time homebuyer in North Texas is 32

The typical first-time homebuyer in Dallas-Fort Worth last year was 32 years old, according to industry data provider Cotality.

Why it matters: High prices, near-6% mortgage rates, and a housing shortage are delaying homeownership for many people.

The big picture: The median age of first-time homebuyers in the U.S. has held relatively steady at 32, per Cotality's analysis of mortgage applications as of September 2025 from people with no prior property ownership.

Zoom in: North Texas was among 38 U.S. metros where the median homebuyer's age was 32. The median age in the Austin area was 34.

State of sales: Home sales in North Texas increased slightly last year compared to sales in 2024, while the average price declined by about $1,600, per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

• Meanwhile, more homes were selling for over $1 million.

Zoom out: In Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and New York City, the typical first-time buyer was 35 or 36 years old as of September 2025.

• Meanwhile, the median age was 28 in Des Moines, Iowa, and Huntsville, Alabama.