How Long It Will Take To Save For a Down Payment in 50 US Cities

David Gyung / Getty Images/iStockphoto
David Gyung / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Saving up for a down payment can be a financial hurdle for prospective homebuyers, particularly in large cities where home prices are far outpacing wages. Even in the most affordable cities, it would take a median-earning household nearly five years to save for a down payment on a median single-family home.

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To find out how long it would take to save for a down payment in 50 major U.S. cities, Zoocasa calculated what a 15% down payment would be for a median-priced single-family home. Next, it calculated how long it would take a household earning the median income to save for this down payment, assuming they are saving 10% of their annual income.

Here’s a look at how long it would take to save for a down payment in cities across the U.S., ranked from shortest to longest amount of time.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Buffalo, New York

  • Median single-family home price: $220,000

  • 15% down payment: $33,000

  • Median household income: $68,014

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 4.9 years

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f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Pittsburgh

  • Median single-family home price: $210,200

  • 15% down payment: $31,530

  • Median household income: $60,187

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 5.2 years

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wichita, Kansas

  • Median single-family home price: $210,600

  • 15% down payment: $31,590

  • Median household income: $60,712

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 5.2 years

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Virginia Beach, Virginia

  • Median single-family home price: $335,000

  • 15% down payment: $50,250

  • Median household income: $87,544

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 5.7 years

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Oklahoma City

  • Median single-family home price: $250,000

  • 15% down payment: $37,500

  • Median household income: $64,251

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 5.8 years

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Omaha, Nebraska

  • Median single-family home price: $282,300

  • 15% down payment: $42,345

  • Median household income: $70,202

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.0 years

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TriggerPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
TriggerPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kansas City, Missouri

  • Median single-family home price: $270,000

  • 15% down payment: $40,500

  • Median household income: $65,256

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.2 years

lovingav / Getty Images/iStockphoto
lovingav / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Louisville, Kentucky

  • Median single-family home price: $266,000

  • 15% down payment: $39,900

  • Median household income: $63,114

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.3 years

Kruck20 / Getty Images
Kruck20 / Getty Images

Memphis, Tennessee

  • Median single-family home price: $205,000

  • 15% down payment: $30,750

  • Median household income: $48,090

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.4 years

Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Milwaukee

  • Median single-family home price: $257,299

  • 15% down payment: $38,595

  • Median household income: $59,319

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.5 years

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f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Philadelphia

  • Median single-family home price: $250,000

  • 15% down payment: $37,500

  • Median household income: $57,537

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.5 years

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Baltimore

  • Median single-family home price: $405,000

  • 15% down payment: $60,750

  • Median household income: $88,157

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 6.9 years

©Shutterstock.com
©Shutterstock.com

Chicago

  • Median single-family home price: $339,900

  • 15% down payment: $50,985

  • Median household income: $71,673

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.1 years

Rudy Balasko / Shutterstock
Rudy Balasko / Shutterstock

Minneapolis

  • Median single-family home price: $366,000

  • 15% down payment: $54,900

  • Median household income: $76,332

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.2 years

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aceshot / Getty Images/iStockphoto
aceshot / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Columbus, Ohio

  • Median single-family home price: $310,000

  • 15% down payment: $46,500

  • Median household income: $62,994

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.4 years

©Shutterstock.com
©Shutterstock.com

Charleston, South Carolina

  • Median single-family home price: $413,566

  • 15% down payment: $62,035

  • Median household income: $83,891

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.4 years

©Shutterstock.com
©Shutterstock.com

Indianapolis

  • Median single-family home price: $296,000

  • 15% down payment: $44,400

  • Median household income: $59,110

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.5 years

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

St. Louis

  • Median single-family home price: $268,800

  • 15% down payment: $40,320

  • Median household income: $52,941

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.6 years

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Cleveland

  • Median single-family home price: $190,700

  • 15% down payment: $28,605

  • Median household income: $37,271

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.7 years

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Austin, Texas

  • Median single-family home price: $450,000

  • 15% down payment: $67,500

  • Median household income: $86,556

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.8 years

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Median single-family home price: $385,000

  • 15% down payment: $57,750

  • Median household income: $74,070

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.8 years

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

San Antonio

  • Median single-family home price: $310,223

  • 15% down payment: $46,533

  • Median household income: $59,593

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.8 years

Read More: Housing Market 2024: Home Prices Are Plummeting in 10 Formerly Overpriced Housing Markets

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Atlanta

  • Median single-family home price: $410,000

  • 15% down payment: $61,500

  • Median household income: $77,655

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 7.9 years

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Orleans

  • Median single-family home price: $280,000

  • 15% down payment: $42,000

  • Median household income: $51,116

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 8.2 years

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Houston

  • Median single-family home price: $330,000

  • 15% down payment: $49,500

  • Median household income: $60,440

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 8.2 years

samvaltenbergs / Getty Images/iStockphoto
samvaltenbergs / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seattle

  • Median single-family home price: $633,717

  • 15% down payment: $95,058

  • Median household income: $116,068

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 8.2 years

Learn More: 7 Ways People Destroy the Value of Their Homes, According to a Real Estate Agent

ChuckSchugPhotography / Getty Images
ChuckSchugPhotography / Getty Images

Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Median single-family home price: $351,000

  • 15% down payment: $52,650

  • Median household income: $61,503

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 8.6 years

csfotoimages / Getty Images
csfotoimages / Getty Images

Tampa, Florida

  • Median single-family home price: $410,000

  • 15% down payment: $61,500

  • Median household income: $66,802

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.2 years

zhudifeng / Getty Images/iStockphoto
zhudifeng / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Portland, Oregon

  • Median single-family home price: $535,000

  • 15% down payment: $80,250

  • Median household income: $85,876

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.3 years

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jacksonville, Florida

  • Median single-family home price: $396,688

  • 15% down payment: $59,503

  • Median household income: $64,138

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.3 years

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benedek / Getty Images
benedek / Getty Images

Dallas

  • Median single-family home price: $395,000

  • 15% down payment: $59,250

  • Median household income: $63,985

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.3 years

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Washington

  • Median single-family home price: $640,000

  • 15% down payment: $96,000

  • Median household income: $101,722

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.4 years

Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Detroit

  • Median single-family home price: $241,500

  • 15% down payment: $36,225

  • Median household income: $37,761

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.6 years

ferrantraite / Getty Images
ferrantraite / Getty Images

Richmond, Virginia

  • Median single-family home price: $406,495

  • 15% down payment: $60,974

  • Median household income: $62,708

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 9.7 years

Check out: How Much Household Income Will Be Considered Upper Middle Class in 5 Years?

Kruck20 / iStock.com
Kruck20 / iStock.com

Orlando, Florida

  • Median single-family home price: $444,000

  • 15% down payment: $66,600

  • Median household income: $66,292

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10 years

Kruck20 / iStock.com
Kruck20 / iStock.com

Phoenix

  • Median single-family home price: $479,000

  • 15% down payment: $71,850

  • Median household income: $72,092

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10 years

digidreamgrafix / Getty Images/iStockphoto
digidreamgrafix / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nashville, Tennessee

  • Median single-family home price: $493,220

  • 15% down payment: $73,983

  • Median household income: $71,328

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.4 years

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Portland, Maine

  • Median single-family home price: $497,400

  • 15% down payment: $74,610

  • Median household income: $71,498

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.4 years

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Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sacramento, California

  • Median single-family home price: $550,000

  • 15% down payment: $82,500

  • Median household income: $78,954

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.4 years

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tucson, Arizona

  • Median single-family home price: $364,900

  • 15% down payment: $54,735

  • Median household income: $52,049

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.5 years

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

Birmingham, Alabama

  • Median single-family home price: $301,900

  • 15% down payment: $45,285

  • Median household income: $42,464

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.7 years

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Burlington, Vermont

  • Median single-family home price: $468,900

  • 15% down payment: $70,335

  • Median household income: $64,931

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.8 years

Read Next: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

milehightraveler / Getty Images/iStockphoto
milehightraveler / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Denver

  • Median single-family home price: $624,723

  • 15% down payment: $93,708

  • Median household income: $85,853

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.9 years

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Salt Lake City

  • Median single-family home price: $525,950

  • 15% down payment: $78,893

  • Median household income: $72,357

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 10.9 years

FilippoBacci / Getty Images/iStockphoto
FilippoBacci / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York

  • Median single-family home price: $659,200

  • 15% down payment: $98,880

  • Median household income: $76,607

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 12.9 years

frankpeters / Getty Images
frankpeters / Getty Images

Los Angeles

  • Median single-family home price: $801,000

  • 15% down payment: $120,150

  • Median household income: $83,411

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 14.4 years

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Miami

  • Median single-family home price: $630,000

  • 15% down payment: $94,500

  • Median household income: $64,215

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 14.7 years

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Boston

  • Median single-family home price: $900,500

  • 15% down payment: $135,075

  • Median household income: $89,212

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 15.1 years

zorazhuang / iStock/Getty Images
zorazhuang / iStock/Getty Images

San Francisco

  • Median single-family home price: $1,386,500

  • 15% down payment: $207,975

  • Median household income: $136,689

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 15.2 years

Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
Ron_Thomas / Getty Images

San Diego

  • Median single-family home price: $1,020,000

  • 15% down payment: $153,000

  • Median household income: $98,657

  • Years it would take to save for a down payment: 15.5 years

Data is sourced from Zoocasa and is accurate as of April 25, 2024.

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