---
title: "Zillow says US households take about 15 years to save and break even on home purchase versus renting"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296487713.md"
description: "Zillow analysis indicates a median-income US household requires approximately 14.7 years to save for a 20% down payment and break even against renting, based on July 2026 conditions. High-cost metros like San Jose (49.2 years) face significantly longer timelines compared to lower-cost markets such as Memphis (10.9 years). Purchasing starter homes reduces the national timeline to 7.2 years."
datetime: "2026-08-20T12:04:11.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296487713.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296487713.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296487713.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Zillow says US households take about 15 years to save and break even on home purchase versus renting

-   Zillow analysis estimates a median-income US household needs 14.7 years to save 20% down, then break even versus renting. \* Saving for a down payment takes 8.5 years nationally; break-even versus renting takes 6.2 years, based on July 2026 conditions. \* High-cost metros extend timelines sharply; San Jose totals 49.2 years, Los Angeles 37.7 years, New York 29.4 years. \* Lower-cost markets shorten payback; Memphis totals 10.9 years, with Pittsburgh near 11.1 years, Detroit 11.4 years. \* Starter homes cut the national timeline to 7.2 years, with 4.6 years to save, then 2.6 years to break even. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Zillow Group Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via PR Newswire (Ref. ID: SF30243) on August 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2026 - Public Technologies (PUBT)

### Related Stocks

- [ZG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ZG.US.md)
- [Z.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/Z.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [How Investors May Respond To Zillow Group (ZG) Preserving Its Redfin Syndication While Enabling Rival Ad Products](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297353917.md)
- [How the private-listing war between Zillow and Compass could cost home buyers and sellers](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297337726.md)
- [Renting vs. buying — what's the right choice for you?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297213110.md)
- [Here's how the private-listing war between Zillow and Compass could cost home buyers and sellers](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297181862.md)
- [Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZG) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Analysts](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296758742.md)

---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**