In midsized metros, affordability remains the engine that lets Gen Z access large homes.
Gen Zers own 3.6% of Salt Lake City's three-plus-bedroom homes.
Several midsized metros—including Oklahoma City, OK, Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, Kansas City, MO, and Birmingham, AL—also appeared on our top 15 list.
Salt Lake City is the U.S. metro where Gen Z adults own the highest share (3.6%) of homes with three or more bedrooms. Virginia Beach, VA (3%), Oklahoma City, OK (2.9%), Louisville, KY (2.7%) and Indianapolis (2.6%) round out the top five. Nationally, Gen Z adults own just 2.2% of three-plus-bedroom home stock. In comparison, millennials own 23.7% of this inventory, while Gen Xers (31.2%) and baby boomers (35.3%) each claim roughly one-third. Thanks to rising costs and limited inventory, owning any kind of home—let alone a large one—is increasingly elusive for many young Americans. However, there are a handful of metros around the country where young adults have been able to snag a minor—but measurable—share of homes with three-plus-bedrooms in recent years. These metros are mostly small(er) and mostly landlocked. This is according to a Redfin analysis of U.S. Census data from 2024 (the most recent year for which data is available) that breaks down the share of homes owned and occupied by each generation by bedroom size. Rankings were pulled from a list of the 50 most populous U.S. metros.
The Big Picture
Gen Zers own 3.6% of Salt Lake City's three-plus-bedroom homes. That figure is over half a percentage point higher than the metro where the young generation owns the next-largest share (3%) of three-plus-bedroom stock—Virginia Beach, VA. So what makes the Utah capital so accessible for young buyers looking for lots of space? According to Kristina Gross, a Redfin senior agent based in Salt Lake City, the answer has a lot to do with the area's unique demographics. "We see a high share of young buyers who are from dual-income households—couples or young families or soon-to-be families—which stretches their purchasing power," said Gross. "Many Gen Zers here also have strong family support. It's common to see gifted down payments or multi-generational financial help that accelerates their ability to buy sooner or buy bigger."
young couple in front of a suburban home
In a Nov. 2025 Redfin survey of approximately 2,200 recent homebuyers conducted by Ipsos, 26% of young homebuyers said they made their down payment, in part, due to family money—defined as a cash gift from family member(s) or an inheritance—significantly higher than the share of all homebuyers (20%) who said the same. Environmental and economic factors are at play in Salt Lake City, too. The Utah metro has ample developable land, which, Gross said, makes new large-home construction more abundant and more affordable than in other areas around the country. Gross added that Salt Lake City boasts a "uniquely strong pipeline" of jobs in technology, healthcare and engineering, often translating to "higher-paying early-career roles."
“In midsized metros, affordability remains the engine that lets Gen Z access large homes.”
By the Numbers
By the Numbers
Gen Z national share: Just 2.2% of three-plus-bedroom homes in the U.S. are owned by Gen Z adults.
Top metro: Salt Lake City leads with 3.6% of large homes owned by Gen Z.
Generational comparison: Millennials own 23.7%, Gen X 31.2%, and baby boomers 35.3% of large homes.
Top five metros: Virginia Beach (3%), Oklahoma City (2.9%), Louisville (2.7%), Indianapolis (2.6%).
Family support: 26% of young buyers used family money for down payment, vs. 20% of all buyers.
bar chart showing generational homeownership shares
Why It Matters
Several midsized metros—including Oklahoma City, OK, Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, Kansas City, MO, and Birmingham, AL—also appeared on our top 15 list. All of these happen to be among a handful of metros nationwide where the typical household still makes enough money to comfortably afford a home—a factor that local Redfin agents routinely pointed to when asked why young buyers had above-average access to large properties in these areas.
"Birmingham showing up on those lists doesn't surprise me at all. One of the biggest drivers here is affordability relative to other metros," said senior agent Jennifer Hoelsher. "Buyers can still purchase homes with significantly more square footage for the same—or lower—price than what they'd pay in larger cities. That makes three and four bedroom homes much more attainable early on."
The pattern is clear: Gen Z isn't buying big homes in expensive coastal cities, but in the interior where land is cheaper and local economies offer stable jobs. This has implications for real estate investors and builders: future demand for large single-family homes may concentrate in these midsized markets, while coastal cities could see weaker demand from young buyers.
What This Means For You
What This Means For You
For young buyers looking for a large home, the strategy is clear: look beyond the coasts. Midsized metros offer better affordability and career opportunities in sectors like tech and healthcare. However, competition is rising as more young people discover these markets.
1First-time buyers: Prioritize metros like Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, or Louisville where prices are lower and family support is common. Consider multi-generational living arrangements to share costs.
2Investors: Target midsized markets with strong job growth and new home construction. Demand for rental large homes may also increase as young families form.
3Builders: Focus construction of three-plus-bedroom homes in these midsized metros, where relative affordability attracts young buyers with stable incomes.
real estate agent showing a home to a young couple
What To Watch Next
The housing market for Gen Z will depend on several factors in the coming months. First, mortgage rates: if they fall, more young buyers could qualify for larger loans, boosting demand for big homes. Second, housing policy: some local governments are considering first-time buyer incentives, which could boost Gen Z's share. Third, migration: as remote work solidifies, more young people may move to midsized metros, pushing prices up.
Also watch new home construction data in these areas. If builders respond to demand, supply could keep up, but if construction lags, affordability could erode quickly.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
Gen Z is managing to buy large homes in specific places: midsized metros with solid jobs, available land, and relatively low prices. Salt Lake City leads the way, but Oklahoma City, Louisville, and similar cities offer comparable opportunities. For investors and buyers, the key is to identify these markets before they become too expensive. The dream of the big house isn't dead; it's just moved inland.
