Single women in the U.S. own more homes than single men

Single women in the U.S. own more homes than single men, per LendingTree.


Citing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, analysts at LendingTree, an online lending marketplace, recently revealed that single women nationwide own approximately 2.71 million more homes than their male counterparts. This statistic gains significance when considering historical challenges faced by women in the home-buying process, including a persistent gender pay gap where women earn, on average, 82% of what men earn, as highlighted in a 2022 Pew Research Center analysis.

Despite these challenges, the trend of single women outpacing single men in homeownership is not a recent development. The National Association of Realtors has reported since 1981 that more single women than men have been purchasing homes each year. LendingTree's analysis indicates that this gap has widened in recent years, with single women owning 10.76 million homes in 2021 compared to the 8.12 million owned by single men. The gap further increased by an additional 70,000 homes in 2022.

However, a study from Yale reveals that single women tend to pay 2% more when buying a home compared to men and receive 2% less when selling. Despite these financial considerations, single women consistently rank among the highest demographics in homebuying, second only to married couples.

Real estate experts point to several reasons for this trend. While the desire for homeownership is a primary motivator for both single men and single women, data suggests that women are twice as likely as men to buy homes to be near friends and family. Stability is also a significant factor, with single women more likely to purchase homes if they have children or intend to create a multi-generational living arrangement.

Analysts at LendingTree note that factors such as women outliving men and their willingness to make greater sacrifices to achieve homeownership contribute to their higher representation in this demographic. The report also highlights that single women outnumber single men in homeownership in all but three states – New Mexico, Nevada, and Alaska. Additionally, the states with the most significant gender gaps favoring single women are Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, New York, and Virginia.