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Gen Z & Millennials reshaping homeownership

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2026-10-08 00:52 UTC → 2026-10-08 07:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By late September 2026, data highlighted a growing disconnect between effort and outcome for Gen Z. A U.S. Bank survey of 5,000 adults found that while Gen Z began building wealth at an average age of 19—earlier than older generations—62% reported struggling to make financial progress. Additionally, 56% of these respondents felt they had made correct financial decisions yet remained below their expected milestones. As housing affordability remains a primary driver of financial strain, nearly 30% of Gen Z respondents stated they have abandoned the goal of homeownership due to financial constraints. This has led to a shift in wealth-building strategies; 62% of Gen Z view investing in the stock market as a more realistic path to wealth than owning a home, a higher percentage than Gen X (51%) or Baby Boomers (45%). In October 2026, a Habitat for Humanity study titled ‘A home, but at what cost?’ expanded this narrative globally, finding that 62% of Millennials and Gen Z view high housing expenses as an impediment to starting a family. The research, covering 30,000 people across 22 countries, revealed that 75% of respondents have reduced spending on essentials like food and healthcare to afford housing. The study also noted significant regional pessimism: 42% of respondents in the United States do not expect to ever own a home, while in Canada, that figure reaches 56%. Furthermore, 35% of participants identified housing costs as their primary source of stress, and 56% believe their country’s housing system is ‘broken’. Adding to this complexity, Vanguard data indicates a paradox for Gen Z: while 47% are on track for successful retirement—outpacing the 40% recorded for Baby Boomers—the demographic faces intense psychological pressure. In Indonesia, rising property prices are driving Gen Z and Millennials in major cities like Jabodetabek, Bandung, and Surabaya toward co-living arrangements.

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