# How long does it take to save up for a starter home? Twice as long as it did in 2019

- Source: NPR Business
- Published: 2026-10-22T09:00:00+00:00
- Category: Business
- Original: https://www.npr.org/2026/10/22/nx-s1-6009378/down-payment-real-estate-affordability
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/how-long-does-it-take-to-save-up-for-a-starter-home-twice-as-long-as-i-92d789/

A new analysis finds that the average renter household now needs 16 years to save for a down payment and closing costs. Rising rents and other costs have consumed a growing share of household budgets.

_Ground Level News shows a short summary only; the full article and all rights belong to NPR Business._