CA Study Finds Age of Homeownership Rises to 47 Amid Market Pressures

The Public Policy Institute of California released a study indicating that the age at which a majority of Californians transition from renters to homeowners is 47. This is notably later than the national average of 36, according to the findings. The Institute attributes this trend to high home prices, rising mortgage rates, and slow construction of new homes, issues particularly acute in Southern California. The study also noted that different demographics experience homeownership milestones at varying ages.

The shift in the average age of homeownership has broader implications for wealth accumulation and retirement security for residents. The study highlights that the average home price in L.A. County was $879,900 in the second quarter of 2026, more than double the national median price. In response to the housing crisis, voters will consider Proposition 37, which proposes a down payment assistance program.