购房梦碎：美国年轻一代深陷财富困局

Core Insights - The American dream of homeownership is increasingly becoming unattainable for many, particularly among the younger generations, leading to a significant shift in behavior and financial planning [1][3][4]. Group 1: Homeownership Crisis - In 2022, the median home price in the U.S. was 5.81 times the median household income, a significant increase from 4.52 times in 2010 and 3.57 times in 1984, indicating a growing affordability crisis [1]. - Many young Americans are postponing or abandoning their home-buying plans, with 67% of millennial renters in 2023 having no savings for a down payment, up from 48% in 2018 [3]. Group 2: Behavioral Changes - The belief that homeownership is unattainable leads to a change in behavior, where individuals may stop saving for a down payment and adopt a more frugal lifestyle [1][4]. - Those who abandon the dream of homeownership tend to have lower net worth and are more likely to live paycheck to paycheck, with their net assets often remaining close to zero [4]. Group 3: Intergenerational Impact - The research suggests that the loss of hope in homeownership can be hereditary, where children of parents who have given up on buying a home are less likely to pursue it themselves, exacerbating wealth inequality [4]. - By age 40, many renters have made definitive decisions about homeownership, with some still holding hope if they can gather enough funds [4]. Group 4: Economic Anxiety - Even high-income earners are experiencing economic anxiety, with 64% of those earning six figures feeling that their income is insufficient for a successful life, highlighting a broader economic struggle [5]. - The concept of a "poverty line" has been redefined, suggesting that a household income of $140,000 is necessary to avoid being left behind in society, indicating systemic issues in the economic structure [6].