Baby Boomers Staying Put in Homes Longer, Squeezing Housing Supply for Younger Buyers

Americans are staying in their homes for twice as long as 20 years ago (now 12 years on average) as older generations find fewer reasons to sell and move.

Nearly 40% of baby boomers have lived in their homes for at least 20 years, causing limited housing inventory for younger, first-time buyers.

Boomers can afford to stay put with low mortgage rates, limited housing cost increases, and tax benefits for long-term owners in some states.

The West Coast, especially Los Angeles and San Jose, has some of the longest average homeowner tenure in the country at nearly 20 years.

Affordable southern metros like Louisville, Las Vegas, and Nashville have higher ownership turnover with average tenure around 8 years.