A new report from Realtor.com revealed millennials defined as the generation aged 19 to 37 for the first time hold thelargest share (42%) of new mortgage loans by dollar volume in the US, more than Generation X and baby boomers.
Millennials as a group are buying more homes than ever. Despite buying cheaper homes than older generations, on average, millennials are making lower down payments. Paired with rising home prices, they're seeking larger mortgages.
The data show that in 10 US metros, millennials made up between 48% and 56% of new mortgage holders in 2018, and the affordability of these markets seems to be a huge draw. On average, monthly homeownership costs in these markets represent only 25% of the median income for millennials aged 25 to 34, compared with 31% nationally, Realtor.com found.
Below are the top-10 markets where millennials took on the highest shares of new mortgages in 2018.
10. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 47%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 42%
Year-over-year difference: 4.7%
8 (TIE). Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 48%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 43%
Year-over-year difference: 4.3%
8 (TIE). Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Maryland
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 48%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 44%
Year-over-year difference: 3.8%
7. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 49%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 45%
Year-over-year difference: 3.7%
6. St. Louis, Missouri
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 50%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 46%
Year-over-year difference: 3.6%
4 (TIE). Columbus, Ohio
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 51%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 46%
Year-over-year difference: 4.8%
4 (TIE). Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisconsin
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Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 51%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 46%
Year-over-year difference: 4.8%
2 (TIE). Cincinnati, Ohio
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 52%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 48%
Year-over-year difference: 4.3%
2 (TIE). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 52%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 47%
Year-over-year difference: 5.2%
1. Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, New York
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Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2018: 56%
Share of new millennial-held mortgages 2017: 48%
Year-over-year difference: 8.8%
