Las Vegas Valley Ranks Among Oldest Homeowners in the U.S., Reports Show
Las Vegas Valley is home to some of the oldest homeowners in the nation, ranking fifth behind Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, and San Francisco, according to a new LendingTree report using U.S. Census Bureau data. The average homeowner in Las Vegas Valley is about 53 years old, compared to an average renter age of 45 and an overall metro population average of 39.
Nationally, the average homeowner in the 50 largest metro regions is 50, while the average renter is 44, and the average age of an American is 39.
LendingTree’s lead researcher Joshua Driskell attributes the valley’s older homeowner demographic to its popularity as a retirement destination. “Las Vegas has more older homeowners in part because it’s such a popular retirement destination. The lower cost of living compared to many other big cities, along with the warm weather and lifestyle, makes it especially appealing for older Americans, and that shows up clearly in the data,” Driskell said.
Changing Homeownership Trends
A recent Redfin report shows that the number of owner-occupied households nationwide fell by 0.1 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2025 to about 86.2 million—the first decline since 2016. Meanwhile, rental households rose by 2.6 percent to 46.4 million, marking one of the largest quarterly increases in recent years.
Redfin’s head of economic research, Chen Zhao, points to affordability challenges: “America’s homeowner population is no longer growing because rising home prices, high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty have made it increasingly difficult to own a home. People are also getting married and starting families later, which means they’re buying homes later—another factor that may be at play.”
Rising Barriers for Younger Buyers
Since mortgage rates climbed in 2022 during the post-pandemic inflation surge, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained above 6 percent. This, combined with soaring home prices, has put starter homes further out of reach for many younger buyers.
Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, adds, “Homeownership is becoming less and less of a young person’s game, so it should be no surprise that the average homeowner in America’s biggest cities is now 50 or older. The cost of owning a home has risen so dramatically over the years that, for many younger people, it’s simply out of reach. Unfortunately, that reality isn’t likely to change anytime soon.”
In summary, Las Vegas Valley’s aging homeowner population reflects broader national trends, with homeownership increasingly skewed toward older Americans due to affordability challenges and shifting life milestones.
