Income Gap Among Single First-Time Homebuyers

Single women first-time homebuyers in the United States now report a higher median annual income than single men, marking the first time such a disparity has favored women in the history of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

According to the NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, which analyzed real estate transactions conducted between July 2024 and June 2025, single women first-time buyers reported a median annual income of $73,000. During the same period, single men who became homeowners reported a median annual income of $66,400.

This data represents a significant reversal from the previous year’s report, which recorded a median income of $87,500 for men and $73,100 for women, continuing a long-term trend where male buyers out-earned female buyers.

Market Share and Participation

The shift in income coincides with a growing presence of single women in the housing market. Single women now account for 25% of all first-time homebuyers in the U.S., the largest share ever recorded for this group. In comparison, single men make up 10% of first-time homebuyers.

This trend extends beyond first-time buyers. Among all homebuyers, single women represent 21% of the market, while single men represent 9%.

The growth of this demographic has been steady over several decades. In 1985, single women comprised 11% of first-time homebuyers, meaning their share has more than doubled over the last 40 years.

Financial Readiness and Demographics

The median age of a single woman first-time buyer is 44, which is slightly older than the median age for the overall first-time buyer population. This age gap is viewed as a signal of financial readiness, as many of these buyers spent years paying down debt, building credit and saving for down payments on a single income.

Research indicates that women make financial sacrifices at a higher rate than men to save for a home purchase. Economists note that single women increasingly view homeownership as a wealth-building tool.

Jessica Lautz, the vice president of research and deputy chief economist for NAR, stated that it remains uncertain if this income flip is the start of a new long-term trend, but noted that This represents the first time the organization has found the income disparity to favor women.

Ongoing Economic Challenges

Despite the increase in median income among first-time homebuyers, women continue to lag behind men regarding pay parity in the general workplace.

Single-income buyers continue to face obstacles in the mortgage process, including disparities in denial rates and the mechanics of debt-to-income ratios.