Why Gen Z are buying homes in San Antonio
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
More Gen Zers are looking to break into the home market in San Antonio, new data shows.
Why it matters: High housing costs and a supply crunch have made it harder, especially for younger people, to become homeowners. But they have a better chance here in the Alamo City.
The big picture: Gen Z represented 13% of U.S. home mortgage applications in 2024, up from 10% in 2023, according to an analysis from Cotality, formerly called CoreLogic.
Zoom in: In San Antonio, Gen Z accounted for more than 14% of applications.
- Relatively affordable parts of the Midwest and the South saw the highest Gen Z shares, while pricey coastal metros lagged behind.
- The median home price in San Antonio was $293,000 in 2024, per Cotality.
How it works: Researchers analyzed 2024 mortgage applications, accepted or not, and they excluded investors, second-home buyers and cash buyers.
Between the lines: Gen Zers, those roughly ages 12–28 today, are expected to make up a bigger piece of the homebuying pie as they get older.
Reality check: Many who take the plunge get help from parents.
- Younger generations are increasingly banking on family money for down payments, Redfin research shows.
- And house hunters commonly ask loved ones for cash instead of traditional wedding or baby gifts.
What to watch: Some aspiring homeowners are getting creative — splitting a mortgage with friends or buying rental properties in cheaper cities.