Overview
- Realtor.com reports the saving timeline fell sharply from a 2022 peak near 12 years yet remains roughly double pre‑pandemic norms.
- The median down payment more than doubled from about $13,900 in Q3 2019 to $30,400 in Q3 2025, reflecting the run‑up in home prices.
- The U.S. personal savings rate averaged about 5.1% in 2025 versus roughly 6.5% before the pandemic, slowing households’ ability to build cash.
- Geographic gaps are stark, with more than 36 years needed to save a typical $245,466 down payment in San Francisco and over 20 years in the Sacramento area.
- Many Southern and military‑hub metros often require fewer than five years to save, aided by VA loan access, while buyers in Q3 2025 averaged 14.4% down—below the commonly cited 20%.