Gen Zers aren't buying homes San Diego
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 — but not so much in San Diego or other West Coast cities, new data shows.
Why it matters: High housing costs and a supply crunch have made it harder, especially for younger people, to become homeowners, even as Gen Z is expected to make up a bigger piece of the homebuying pie as they get older.
The big picture: Gen Z, roughly ages 12–28 today, represented 13% of U.S. home mortgage applications in 2024, up from 10% in 2023, according to an analysis by CoreLogic, an industry data provider.
- Relatively affordable parts of the Midwest and South saw the highest Gen Z shares, while pricey coastal metros lagged behind.
Zoom in: In San Diego County, where the median home price is $864,000, Gen Z comprised about 6% of home mortgage applications, per CoreLogic.
- You need to make $242,560 to afford the mortgage on a median-priced home here, but there are local programs that help first-time homebuyers and teachers.
The fine print: CoreLogic researchers analyzed 2024 mortgage applications, accepted or not, and they excluded investors, second-home buyers and cash buyers.
Between the lines: Many aspiring homeowners are relying on Mom and Dad for down payments.
- Others are getting creative by splitting a mortgage with friends or buying rental properties in cheaper cities.

