The median income for single female first-time homebuyers has surpassed that of single male first-time buyers for the first time, according to 2025 housing market data. The median income for single women among first-time homebuyers is $73,000, while for single men it is $66,400.
Single women currently constitute approximately one in five homebuyers, a share more than double that of single male homebuyers. According to NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 71% of single female homebuyers have previously purchased a home.
41% of single female homebuyers reported saving for a purchase by reducing spending on non-essential goods and entertainment, or by taking on second jobs. Generation Z represents 30% of all single female homebuyers.
The 2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report indicates behavioral differences in the home-buying process. Female homebuyers utilize real estate platforms at a rate of 65%, compared to 58% for male homebuyers. Additionally, 67% of female homebuyers consult professional advisors before purchasing, while 58% of male homebuyers do so.
For homeowners, the average cost of the first year of homeownership totals $86,698, which includes down payments, furnishing, renovations, and tools, according to a 2025 American Home Shield survey. The same survey revealed that 56% of homeowners did not set aside a budget for first-year home repairs. Hidden homeownership costs average $21,400 annually, with annual home maintenance expenses averaging $8,808. Maintenance and hidden costs are cited by 42% of homeowners as their primary regret regarding homeownership, according to American Home Shield 2025 survey data. Most female homebuyers, 63%, choose detached single-family homes.