![20% of Homebuyers Are Gen Z — Here’s Where They’re Buying [New LendingTree Report]](https://realtytimes.com/images/Market_News.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/Market_News.jpg?width=900&height=601)
Gen Z is steadily carving out its place in the housing market, accounting for 19.9% of mortgage requests nationally.
However, while younger buyers now make up a meaningful share of mortgage activity nationwide, their presence is much stronger in some markets than in others. Our study found that their influence is especially pronounced in more affordable Midwestern metros, and far less visible in high-cost coastal cities.
Here’s a closer look.
- Gen Zers account for nearly 1 in 5 (19.9%) mortgage purchase requests nationwide, with the highest shares concentrated in Midwestern metros. Minneapolis (26.4%), Birmingham, Ala. (25.7%), and Indianapolis (24.6%) have the largest Gen Z shares.
- High-cost coastal markets lag. Miami (12.4%), San Francisco (12.8%) and Las Vegas (12.8%) have the lowest shares of Gen Z buyers.
- Gen Z homebuying activity increased nationwide from 2024 to 2025. The national share rose by 9.9%, with Virginia Beach, Va. (37.1%), San Francisco (33.9%) and Birmingham (30.9%) seeing the largest increases.
- Millennials account for the largest share of mortgage requests, making up 40.5% in 2025, versus 19.9% for Gen Zers. Additionally, Gen Z buyers had lower down payments ($44,966 versus $72,412 among millennials) and smaller loan amounts ($274,794 versus $356,655).
Gen Zers account for 19.9% of mortgage requests
Gen Zers — those ages 18 to 28 in 2025, the focus of this analysis — comprise nearly 1 in 5 (19.9%) mortgage purchase requests nationwide. These Gen Zers have an average credit score of 674, with an average down payment of $44,966 and an average requested loan amount of $274,794.
Across the 50 largest U.S. metros, their presence is especially strong in the Midwest. Minneapolis ranks first, with Gen Zers accounting for 26.4% of mortgage purchase requests there. Birmingham, Ala. (25.7%), and Indianapolis (24.6%) follow.
You can check out the full report here: https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/the-most-popular-us-cities-for-gen-z-homebuyers-ranked/
