What It Would Take To Buy a Home by 35 in Every State
At a time when buying a home – ever – is a stretch for so many Americans, buying a home by age 35 may seem like an impossible dream.
A new MoneyLion analysis breaks down what homeownership by 35 would take, state-by-state. To accomplish this, MoneyLion looked at average costs for single-family homes, what down payments of 20% and 10% would be, yearly income needed, and how much monthly savings are needed, starting at age 22 and covering the next 13 years. MoneyLion sourced data from Zillow and Freddie Mac.
There are stark differences between states. Monthly savings required for a 10% down payment range from about $100 to more than $600. For a 20% down payment, amounts vary from around $200 to $1,200. Annual income to comfortably afford the mortgage ranges from $41,000 to $232,000 (10% percent down payment), and from $36,000 to $207,000 (20% down payment).
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Key Findings
Homeownership by 35 is generally the least expensive in the Midwest and South. States such as West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Iowa and Ohio all require monthly savings under $310 for a 20% down payment and incomes under $56,000 to afford the mortgage.
Several high-cost states require six-figure incomes even with 20% down. California, Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey and Hawaii all require $120,000+ in annual income to comfortably afford a mortgage with a 20% down payment.
Buying an average-priced single-family home in Hawaii requires the largest down payments – roughly $190,000 for 20% and $97,000 for 10%.
West Virginians have the lowest down payments: $34,000 for 20% and $17,000 for 10%. In West Virginia, you would need to save $109 a month from age 22 to come up with that 10% down payment. For a 20% down payment in the Mountain State, the savings figure bumps up to $217 a month.
On the other end of the spectrum, saving for a 20% down payment in Hawaii means stashing away $1,238 each month. Saving 10% requires $619 each month.
Here’s a breakdown by state, with the key numbers for each.
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Alabama
20% down payment: $45,948
Monthly mortgage: $1,147
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $49,166
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $295
10% down payment: $22,974
Monthly mortgage: $1,291
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $55,312
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $147
Alaska
20% down payment: $79,232
Monthly mortgage: $1,978
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $84,782
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $508
10% down payment: $39,616
Monthly mortgage: $2,226
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $95,380
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $254
Arizona
20% down payment: $85,995
Monthly mortgage: $2,147
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $92,020
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $551
10% down payment: $42,998
Monthly mortgage: $2,416
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $103,522
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $276
Arkansas
20% down payment: $43,813
Monthly mortgage: $1,094
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $46,882
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $281
10% down payment: $21,906
Monthly mortgage: $1,231
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $52,742
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $140
California
20% down payment: $157,781
Monthly mortgage: $3,939
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $168,834
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $1,011
10% down payment: $78,891
Monthly mortgage: $4,432
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $189,938
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $506
Colorado
20% down payment: $109,949
Monthly mortgage: $2,745
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $117,651
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $705
10% down payment: $54,974
Monthly mortgage: $3,088
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $132,357
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $352
Connecticut
20% down payment: $90,233
Monthly mortgage: $2,253
Income needed to comfortably afford mortgage: $96,554
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $578
10% down payment: $45,116
Monthly mortgage: $2,535
Income needed to comfortably afford mortgage: $108,623
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $289
Delaware
20% down payment: $79,316
Monthly mortgage: $1,980
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $84,873
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $508
10% down payment: $39,658
Monthly mortgage: $2,228
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $95,482
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $254
Florida
20% down payment: $78,685
Monthly mortgage: $1,965
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $84,197
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $504
10% down payment: $39,342
Monthly mortgage: $2,210
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $94,721
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $252
Georgia
20% down payment: $66,244
Monthly mortgage: $1,654
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $70,885
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $425
10% down payment: $33,122
Monthly mortgage: $1,861
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $79,745
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $212
Hawaii
20% down payment: $193,070
Monthly mortgage: $4,821
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $206,595
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $1,238
10% down payment: $96,535
Monthly mortgage: $5,423
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $232,420
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $619
Idaho
20% down payment: $93,482
Monthly mortgage: $2,334
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $100,030
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $599
10% down payment: $46,741
Monthly mortgage: $2,626
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $112,534
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $300
Illinois
20% down payment: $57,206
Monthly mortgage: $1,428
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $61,214
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $367
10% down payment: $28,603
Monthly mortgage: $1,607
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $68,865
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $183
Indiana
20% down payment: $50,074
Monthly mortgage: $1,250
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $53,582
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $321
10% down payment: $25,037
Monthly mortgage: $1,407
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $60,279
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $160
Iowa
20% down payment: $46,352
Monthly mortgage: $1,157
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $49,599
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $297
10% down payment: $23,176
Monthly mortgage: $1,302
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $55,799
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $149
Kansas
20% down payment: $47,908
Monthly mortgage: $1,196
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $51,264
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $307
10% down payment: $23,954
Monthly mortgage: $1,346
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $57,672
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $154
Kentucky
20% down payment: $45,807
Monthly mortgage: $1,144
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $49,016
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $294
10% down payment: $22,903
Monthly mortgage: $1,287
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $55,143
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $147
Louisiana
20% down payment: $41,902
Monthly mortgage: $1,046
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $44,837
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $269
10% down payment: $20,951
Monthly mortgage: $1,177
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $50,442
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $134
Maine
20% down payment: $78,466
Monthly mortgage: $1,959
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $83,962
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $503
10% down payment: $39,233
Monthly mortgage: $2,204
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $94,458
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $251
Maryland
20% down payment: $87,840
Monthly mortgage: $2,193
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $93,993
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $563
10% down payment: $43,920
Monthly mortgage: $2,467
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $105,743
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $282
Massachusetts
20% down payment: $132,922
Monthly mortgage: $3,319
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $142,233
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $852
10% down payment: $66,461
Monthly mortgage: $3,734
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $160,012
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $426
Michigan
20% down payment: $50,145
Monthly mortgage: $1,252
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $53,657
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $321
10% down payment: $25,072
Monthly mortgage: $1,409
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $60,364
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $161
Minnesota
20% down payment: $69,451
Monthly mortgage: $1,734
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $74,316
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $445
10% down payment: $34,725
Monthly mortgage: $1,951
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $83,605
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $223
Mississippi
20% down payment: $37,690
Monthly mortgage: $941
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $40,331
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $242
10% down payment: $18,845
Monthly mortgage: $1,059
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $45,372
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $121
Missouri
20% down payment: $52,059
Monthly mortgage: $1,300
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $55,706
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $334
10% down payment: $26,029
Monthly mortgage: $1,462
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $62,669
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $167
Montana
20% down payment: $91,322
Monthly mortgage: $2,280
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $97,719
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $585
10% down payment: $45,661
Monthly mortgage: $2,565
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $109,934
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $293
Nebraska
20% down payment: $54,364
Monthly mortgage: $1,357
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $58,172
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $348
10% down payment: $27,182
Monthly mortgage: $1,527
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $65,444
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $174
Nevada
20% down payment: $92,087
Monthly mortgage: $2,299
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $98,538
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $590
10% down payment: $46,044
Monthly mortgage: $2,587
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $110,856
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $295
New Hampshire
20% down payment: $102,757
Monthly mortgage: $2,566
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $109,955
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $659
10% down payment: $51,378
Monthly mortgage: $2,886
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $123,699
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $329
New Jersey
20% down payment: $115,339
Monthly mortgage: $2,880
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $123,419
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $739
10% down payment: $57,670
Monthly mortgage: $3,240
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $138,846
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $370
New Mexico
20% down payment: $62,275
Monthly mortgage: $1,555
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $66,638
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $399
10% down payment: $31,138
Monthly mortgage: $1,749
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $74,967
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $200
New York
20% down payment: $95,421
Monthly mortgage: $2,382
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $102,106
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $612
10% down payment: $47,711
Monthly mortgage: $2,680
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $114,846
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $306
North Carolina
20% down payment: $66,641
Monthly mortgage: $1,664
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $71,310
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $427
10% down payment: $33,321
Monthly mortgage: $1,872
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $80,223
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $214
North Dakota
20% down payment: $56,881
Monthly mortgage: $1,420
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $60,866
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $365
10% down payment: $28,441
Monthly mortgage: $1,598
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $68,474
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $182
Ohio
20% down payment: $48,044
Monthly mortgage: $1,200
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $51,410
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $308
10% down payment: $24,022
Monthly mortgage: $1,350
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $57,836
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $154
Oklahoma
20% down payment: $43,418
Monthly mortgage: $1,084
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $46,459
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $278
10% down payment: $21,709
Monthly mortgage: $1,220
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $52,266
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $139
Oregon
20% down payment: $100,100
Monthly mortgage: $2,499
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $107,112
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $642
10% down payment: $50,050
Monthly mortgage: $2,812
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $120,501
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $321
Pennsylvania
20% down payment: $55,631
Monthly mortgage: $1,389
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $59,528
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $357
10% down payment: $27,816
Monthly mortgage: $1,563
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $66,969
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $178
Rhode Island
20% down payment: $99,791
Monthly mortgage: $2,492
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $106,782
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $640
10% down payment: $49,896
Monthly mortgage: $2,803
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $120,129
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $320
South Carolina
20% down payment: $60,501
Monthly mortgage: $1,511
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $64,739
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $388
10% down payment: $30,251
Monthly mortgage: $1,699
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $72,832
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $194
South Dakota
20% down payment: $62,487
Monthly mortgage: $1,560
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $66,865
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $401
10% down payment: $31,244
Monthly mortgage: $1,755
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $75,223
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $200
Tennessee
20% down payment: $65,590
Monthly mortgage: $1,638
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $70,184
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $420
10% down payment: $32,795
Monthly mortgage: $1,842
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $78,958
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $210
Texas
20% down payment: $59,836
Monthly mortgage: $1,494
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $64,027
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $384
10% down payment: $29,918
Monthly mortgage: $1,681
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $72,031
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $192
Utah
20% down payment: $108,651
Monthly mortgage: $2,713
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $116,262
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $696
10% down payment: $54,325
Monthly mortgage: $3,052
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $130,795
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $348
Vermont
20% down payment: $76,575
Monthly mortgage: $1,912
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $81,939
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $491
10% down payment: $38,288
Monthly mortgage: $2,151
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $92,182
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $245
Virginia
20% down payment: $82,413
Monthly mortgage: $2,058
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $88,187
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $528
10% down payment: $41,207
Monthly mortgage: $2,315
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $99,210
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $264
Washington
20% down payment: $121,485
Monthly mortgage: $3,033
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $129,995
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $779
10% down payment: $60,742
Monthly mortgage: $3,412
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $146,244
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $389
West Virginia
20% down payment: $33,862
Monthly mortgage: $845
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $36,234
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $217
10% down payment: $16,931
Monthly mortgage: $951
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $40,763
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $109
Wisconsin
20% down payment: $65,041
Monthly mortgage: $1,624
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $69,597
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $417
10% down payment: $32,520
Monthly mortgage: $1,827
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $78,296
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $208
Wyoming
20% down payment: $70,776
Monthly mortgage: $1,767
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $75,734
Monthly savings needed to afford 20% down by 35: $454
10% down payment: $35,388
Monthly mortgage: $1,988
Income needed to comfortably afford a mortgage: $85,200
Monthly savings needed to afford 10% down by 35: $227
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion looked at home values by state using Zillow’s February 2026 data to determine what it would take to buy a home by the age of 35 in every state. To determine this, MoneyLion assumed a person/household would have a down payment of either 20%, 15%, 10% or 6% towards their home. With these down payment figures calculated, MoneyLion then determined how much one would have to save both yearly (13 years) and monthly (156 months) assuming one was working full-time from the age of 22 onward. MoneyLion also calculated monthly and annual mortgage payments assuming a 30-year fixed rate at 6.38% interest as sourced from Freddie Mac on March 26, 2026, with no property tax, HOA, or PMI included in mortgage calculations. With the mortgage payments determined, MoneyLion was also able to provide minimum incomes needed to comfortably afford mortgage payments following the rule that no more than 28% of pre-tax income should go toward your mortgage. All data was collected and is up to date as of March 30, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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