Recent research by Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research, sheds light on the changing landscape of homeownership among single women. According to a blog post she published, the dynamics of homebuying have shifted significantly over the years.
In 1981, married couples made up 73% of home buyers, with single women at 11% and single men at 10%. Fast forward to today, and we see a different picture: 62% for married couples, 20% for single women, and 8% for single men. The peak for single women buyers was in 2006 at 22%, while from 2016 to 2024, it has remained between 17% and 20%.
Lautz notes that today’s buyers are less likely to be married compared to the past. In 1985, 75% of first-time homebuyers were married, but now that number has dropped to 50%. Single women buying for the first time have seen a significant increase from 11% in 1985 to 24% in 2024, while single men have only slightly risen from 9% to 11% in the same period.
One reason for single women’s strong presence in the housing market could be attributed to their household composition. Single women are more likely to have children under 18 in the home and are slightly more inclined to buy multigenerational homes.
Financial factors also play a role in the purchasing power of men and women. Women typically make their first home purchase with a household income of $71,300, while single men start at $87,500. Despite not having the same dual-income household advantage as men, women are more likely to make financial sacrifices to achieve homeownership.
Age differences are another factor to consider. The median age for single women buying their first home is 40, compared to 34 for men. Women are also more willing to make financial sacrifices, with 44% making sacrifices compared to 37% of men in similar situations.
Lautz’s research aligns with Sotheby’s International Realty‘s 2025 Luxury Outlook Report, which predicts that women will hold $34 trillion, representing 38% of all investable assets, by 2030.