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Key Takeaways
- Among 35- to 44-year-old homeowners, the median home value was $392,030 in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
- Your home’s market value matters less than ensuring you can afford your mortgage and your other bills, as well as saving for retirement.
The median home value among 35- to 44-year-old owners hit $392,030 in 2024—but that figure hides a 34-to-1 gap between the priciest and cheapest markets in the country.
A better comparison for where you stand requires a closer look.
“Context really matters,” said Joon Um, a tax advisor at Secure Tax and Accounting, a financial planning and accounting firm in California. “Where you live, whether you’re single- or dual-income, and whether you had family help all shape what’s realistic. Comparing yourself to national averages can be misleading.”
Why Home Values Vary So Wildly at This Age
The $392,000 figure smooths out wide variations in home values based on region and other factors unrelated to financial responsibility.
Home values tend to be highest on the coasts and lower in the middle of the country. In 2025, the median home value in Nantucket, Massachusetts, was $1.7 million, more than 34 times the median home value of $49,050 in Todd County, South Dakota, according to the National Association of Realtors, a trade group.
Some owners saw their home values shoot up over the past five years in the wake of the pandemic. In this environment, having a home to sell can be a big help in getting money for a new one, though many who bought at lower interest rates often feel locked into their homes to keep those savings.
About 38% of 35- to 44-year-olds used the proceeds from a property sale to buy a new house in 2025, compared with 45% of all buyers, the NRA said.
Fast Fact
The median home value doesn’t capture the entire cohort. It overlooks the roughly 39% of 35- to 44-year-olds who rent or have other living arrangements, according to 2025 Census Bureau data.
The Number That Matters More Than Home Value
Your home’s worth involves more than its market value.
Most Americans borrow to buy a home. Last year, 35- to 44-year-old buyers used mortgages to finance a median of 86% of their purchase, the NAR said. That means home equity, the gap between your home’s value and what you still owe, offers a clearer picture of your actual stake.
Your equity grows as you pay off your mortgage, and the property’s value often appreciates. To avoid selling sooner than planned and jeopardizing these gains, your total housing costs—including mortgage, property tax, and insurance payments—should leave you with enough cash to cover expenses while saving for your goals.
“In midlife, the best signal of financial health is not just the home’s price tag—it’s whether the household can sustain the payment, stay liquid, and keep investing for retirement,” said Thomas Ravert, of Pathway Capital Corp., a New York firm that focuses on mid-market companies.
Below the Median, Ahead of the Game
Don’t assume that having a home that’s worth less than the median is a concern–it’s the norm in lower-cost areas, and often a responsible move. Choosing a smaller home can make buying affordable, and lower your utility bills and other costs.
Renting may also be a better way to advance your goals. It can offer greater flexibility to those focused on education or career growth, and free up money for retirement funds or investing.
Fast Fact
An Investopedia analysis of 2024 Census data, the latest available, shows that nearly half (48%) of renters nationwide between the ages of 35 and 44 are cost-burdened—meaning more than 30% of their income goes to housing—compared with about 22% of homeowners in the same age group. Homeowners in this age group have an average household income of about $164,000, almost twice the $89,000 average for renters.
House Rich, Cash Poor
Prioritizing a high-value home above all else, however, can cause problems. This can lead to being “house rich, cash poor,” or having so much money invested in a home that you struggle to stay afloat.
Buyers under 55 tend to have about one-quarter of their net worth in their home, according to NAR. Having more than half of your net worth in a home may make you vulnerable during downturns and emergencies, said Mike Casey, president of AE Advisors, a Virginia-based financial planning firm.
Homeowners may be able to get a home equity-backed loan or line of credit during a crises, Ravert said. But repeatedly tapping your home equity for funds can be a sign that you’re relying on it too much, he said.
How To Assess Your Situation
These questions can help you figure out what’s affordable for you:
- What portion of your net worth is in your home? Financial experts suggest trying to keep under 30%, which is a difficult prospect in many areas of the country.
- Are you able to comfortably afford mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and other housing expenses?
- Do you have enough left over to cover essentials, invest in retirement funds, and build an emergency fund?
However you assess your situation, it should be based on your context. Ultimately, the right home fits your particular budget and sets you up to achieve your goals.
