How Fast Can You Save for a Down Payment?

Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer. Depending on where you live, median income, median rents, and home prices all vary. So, we set out to find out how long would it take you to save for a down payment in each state?

Using data from the United States Census Bureau and Zillow, we determined how long it would take, nationwide, for a first-time buyer to save enough money for a down payment on their dream home. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their monthly housing expense.

By determining the percentage of income spent renting a 2-bedroom apartment in each state, and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, we were able to establish how long (in years) it would take for an average resident to save enough money to buy a home of their own.

According to the data, residents in Iowa can save for a down payment the quickest in just under 2 years (1.99). Below is a map created using the data for each state:

What if you only needed to save 3%?

What if you were able to take advantage of one of Freddie Mac’s or Fannie Mae’s 3% down programs? Suddenly, saving for a down payment no longer takes 5 or 10 years, but becomes attainable in a year or two in many states as shown in the map below.

Bottom Line

Whether you have just started to save for a down payment, or have been saving for years, you may be closer to your dream home than you think! Let’s meet up so I can help you evaluate your ability to buy today – give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

What’s Your Home Worth?

Search for Your New Home

Listing types.

For Sale

For Rent

Land

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Distressed

Open House

Location Search Nearby

BedsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

BathsAny1+2+3+4+5+6+

Price MinAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Price MaxAny$500$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,500$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,900$2,000$2,250$2,500$2,750$3,000$3,250$3,500$3,750$4,000$4,500$5,000$5,500$6,000$6,500$7,000$7,500$8,000$8,500$9,000$9,500$10,000

Advanced Options

Property TypeAnyApartmentManufactured HomeSingle Family ResidenceTownhouseTwin Home

School District

Address, MLS# or Keyword

Home SizeAny600 ft2800 ft21,000 ft21,200 ft21,400 ft21,600 ft21,800 ft22,000 ft22,200 ft22,400 ft22,600 ft22,800 ft23,000 ft23,500 ft24,000 ft24,500 ft25,000 ft25,500 ft26,000 ft2

YearAny2024+2023+2022+2021+2020+2019+2018+2017+2016+2015+2014+2013+2012+2011+2010+2009+2008+2007+2006+2005+2004+2003+2002+2001+2000+1999+1998+1997+1996+1995+1994+1993+1992+1991+1990+1980+1970+1960+1950+1940+1930+

Location Search Nearby

Lot SizeAny1+ Acres2+ Acres3+ Acres4+ Acres5+ Acres6+ Acres7+ Acres8+ Acres9+ Acres10+ Acres20+ Acres30+ Acres40+ Acres50+ Acres

Price MinAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Price MaxAny$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$250,000$300,000$350,000$400,000$450,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000$900,000$1,000,000$1,100,000$1,200,000$1,300,000$1,400,000$1,500,000$1,600,000$1,800,000$1,900,000$2,000,000$2,250,000$2,500,000$2,750,000$3,000,000$3,250,000$3,500,000$3,750,000$4,000,000$4,500,000$5,000,000$6,000,000$8,000,000$10,000,000$15,000,000

Advanced Options

Neighborhood

Address, MLS# or Keyword

View As: Thumbnails List

Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

7790 W Emerson Drive Kirkland, AZ 86332

$475,000

3 Beds

3 Baths

2,593 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6668827

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

NO HOA!!! This ranch-style hilltop home has million dollar, panoramic views for miles, nearly 7 acres of fenced and gated land, outbuildings, and potential guest house! You will love your full views of both sunrise and sunset, as well as the vast and powerful mountain ranges that fill the horizon. The peace and privacy you will find while listening to the abundant wildlife is unmatched. All your toys and hobbies will find a home on this perfectly situated property on the paved county road. The home is nearly 2600 sqft - with 3 large bedrooms, 2 bonus rooms, 3 full baths, an open kitchen with pantry, plenty of cabinet space, dining room, living room, and huge climate controlled laundry room that can double as an office, media room, or bonus space. Add to that a large attached 2-car Garage that has tons of extra space with shelves and built-in counters, well house and well equipment, detached exterior 16x12 shed (included with full-price offer only), and 600 sqft storage building with the potential to become a guest house or rental. New roof, updated flooring, and more! see attached docs for a breakdown of upgrades/updates. This town is a well-kept Prescott area secret! This peaceful location will allow you to take a deep breath and reset! 25 minutes (17 miles) from downtown Prescott and less than an hour from Wickenburg. If you are looking for rural yet convenient, don't overlook Wilhoit!

View Property

20725 W Colter Street Buckeye, AZ 85396

$475,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,581 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6673074

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Tenant Occupied until May 20th. This Villa is a great full-time residence, or lock and leave, or an investment property generating $20K NET income per year. Villa is situated on an elevated lot with charming tree-lined walking pathway. Mountainside is the only gated community in Victory (55+), featuring private pool and social areas for residents. Enjoy the gourmet kitchen complete with designer-selected features from top to bottom including stainless appliances. You'll appreciate the 10' ceilings and abundant natural light. The family room has large dual pane low E 3 energy efficient picture windows looking out onto your private outdoor paver patio. An oversized super shower and upgraded surfaces highlight the spa-like owners bath. Two bedrooms AND office/den w French doors.

View Property

1741 W Paisley Drive San Tan Valley, AZ 85144

$475,000

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,863 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6673545

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Home Qualifies for No Downpayment Loans! Motivated Seller ~ Bring All Offers! Located in the VERY POPULAR subdivision CIRCLE CROSS RANCH in NORTH San Tan Valley. SUPER CLEAN & UPDATED MOVE IN READY 1 STORY Ranch home with 4 Bedrooms (4th Bedroom is Large Den) with HEATED POOL and BUILT in 2012! A HUGE greenbelt right across the street! LOW Maintenance Yards ATTACHED Extended 2 Car Garage w/ EXTRA STORAGE! Amazing Stacked Brick accent wall in living Room! LARGE Open Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances! All Appliances included! Even W/D! Tons of Walking/Biking Trails. Close to LOTS of shopping and restaurants. Easy access to Banner Ironwood Hospital, Minutes from New 24 Freeway!

View Property

3620 E Sumner Place Rimrock, AZ 86335

$475,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,716 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6672634

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This stunning brand new 3 bedroom/2 bath home is in the pristine gated community of Beaver Creek Preserve in Rimrock AZ. Beautifully done Open floor plan with granite/quartz countertops, kitchen island, wood cabinetry and lots of storage and tile flooring. Private back Patio. Huge RV Storage! No RV? Then sky's the limit of what you can do with that space! Storage for your motorcycles, ATV's, Golf Carts! Turn it into a sports Room w/pool table, Ping-Pong, Man Cave, or add a platform for more storage, build a loft, Car lift.. really anything! Great private space between neighbor's min 20ft easements. Clubhouse offers pool tennis, Lounge area, BBQ for all you Friends and Family! Great location just off the freeway, Peaceful and Quiet! 20 min to Cottonwood, 25 min to Sedona, 1 hr to Flagstaff Lots of hiking trails, fishing and just beautiful scenery! ** Price reflects a 30K incentive reduction by using the builders preferred lender! **Come check it out! Make us an offer today and we can make it work!

View Property