Across America, one of the defining hallmarks of arriving at adulthood is the moment when you move out of your parents’ place and buy a home of your own. So pivotal is this concept of having “made it” that home ownership has become a core tenet of living the “American dream,” that idyllic success story where hard workbegets personal prosperity. However, these days more and more young Americans seem to be having difficulty moving out of their parents’ home and buying into the housing market. Whether they’re burdened with high student debts from their college days, stuck in careers with no opportunity to advance, or simply unable to save enough money to make a down payment, many young adults feel that they can’t seem to make that final step into independence and adulthood.
If you’re a young American who feels that you’re struggling to enjoy the prosperity of the generations that came before you, there is one prime question you should be asking: Do I really have it harder than my parents did? When it comes to home ownership, answering this question would take a strong analysis of many factors, including the cost of purchasing a home, interest rates, median incomes, and more. Fortunately, this infographic from Hawaii-based real estate agent Aloha Tony sets out to answer exactly that question, and it does so with style! Feel free to check it out below to get the full scoop – what you learn may surprise you! The short hand version is that, while homes in America are slightly more expensive now than they were 30 years ago, lower interest rates help make up the difference. The real game-changer has been rising personal debts (especially from student loans) which have reduced the disposable and savings income of many American graduates, as well as the increase of two-income households from 30 years ago. So while it may cost a bit more and managing debt will be trickier than it was in the past, the fundamental affordability of homes today is only slightly higher than it was in the 1980s.
