The typical homebuyer in 2026 is older, richer, and loves the suburbs

The dependable addition in the median age of homebuyers has been a talking item for years.

When NAR published its archetypal study in 1981, the median age of all homebuyers was 31 — now it's up to 58.

For first-time homebuyers, that figure stayed put at 40, during the age of reiterate homebuyers additionally stayed flat at 62. While the age of first-time buyers is normally the report's chief talking point, the median age of reiterate buyers has risen at a faster charge since 1981.

Even although the median homebuyer age was 58, the most average homebuyer was in the range of 65 to 74 years old — that age collection made up 26% of all homebuyers.

Homebuyers figured it was easier to go in on a home alongside another individual than alone.

Married couples accounted for the largest portion of homebuyers by a broad margin. Sixty-three percent of all homebuyers were married.

The amount of sole women homebuyers slightly decreased to 20% — following doubling since 1985 — but they are motionless additional average than than sole men, who accounted for 8% of all homebuyers.

The gap between sole women and sole men homebuyers was lone a 2% difference in 1985 — 11% and 9%, respectively.

The representative buyer bought a home alongside three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,900 quadrate feet of space; adequate area for children or additional guests. Most buyers, however, were without kids.

Homebuyers alongside no children under 18 living in the residence accounted for 74% of buyers.

Buyers alongside one or two children made up 10% of buyers, and those alongside three or additional children made up 6%.

Today's homebuyers are extremely educated. NAR's study established that 30% of buyers have a bachelor's degree, followed by 27% alongside a master's degree, MBA, or law degree. Just 16% are high-school graduates.

College graduates lean to have higher incomes than group without degrees, which may assistance explain their higher homeownership rates.

The suburbs are the "It" location for the representative buyer.

This year, 48% of all buyers purchased homes in suburban neighborhoods, compared alongside 21% in small towns and 14% in agrarian areas.

It's a reversal from latest years. In 2022, the portion of buyers purchasing homes in the suburbs cut below 40%. Small towns and agrarian areas attracted an influx of buyers that year, narrowing the gap between suburban and small-town buyers.

As additional Americans gravitate toward suburban areas, the change suggests the pandemic-era hurry for additional district and area in smaller towns and agrarian communities is easing.

The genuine asset market is increasingly a narrative of the haves and have-nots. NAR's study shows that first-time homebuyers are struggling to keep up.

In 2026, the representative buyer had already purchased one or additional properties. Repeat buyers, whether purchasing a new chief residence or a vacation home, accounted for 78% of all residence purchases.

Repeat buyers are additionally much older than they were in the past. In 2026, their median age is 62, compared alongside 36 in 1981.

"Repeat buyers are driving the accommodation market," stated Jessica Lautz, NAR's delegate chief economist and vice chairman of research. "Unlike first-time residence buyers, reiterate buyers have seen their accommodation equity develop quickly complete the former decade, enabling them to commerce up for larger homes or move into additional desirable locations. These are frequently moves by choice fairly than necessity."