All The Single Ladies: New Survey Shows That Single Women Have Their Act Together When It Comes To Buying Real Estate — Leaving Single Men Far Behind

Women are way ahead of men in the battle of the sexes regarding home ownership. A LendingTree analysis of recent U.S. Census Bureau data found that single women are more likely than single men to own a home in 47 out of 50 states. The analysis also discovered that single women own about 2.72 million more homes than single men.

The findings were surprising given that the census data showed that women’s median weekly earnings amounted to 83.6% of men’s. However, where home ownership is concerned single women have been putting their cash to good use, getting on the property ladder in higher numbers than their male counterparts.

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Here are some of the key findings from the analysis:

• Single women own 13.01% of owner-occupied homes, compared to 9.83% of male ownership
• The margins are increasing. 2023’s homeownership gender gap was 14,780 housing units, more than in 2022.
• The states with the largest gender gap are Delaware and Connecticut, where the differential is greater than 5%
• Single women own the largest share of homes in New Mexico, Mississippi, and West Virginia.
• In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Alaska, single men own more homes than single women; coincidentally, male home ownership percentages among single men are highest.

Why Single Women Own More Homes Than Single Men

Overall, men still earn more money than women. However, that is not necessarily true for younger age groups. Millennial women earn more money than millennial men in six metros, including Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Portland, Maine, and early only $2,000 less than men in several other states.

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Also, women generally outlive men, so some of the numbers could be attributed to widows who once owned their homes with spouses. LendingTree Chief Credit Analyst Matt Schulz summarized the findings to the New York Post. 

“It’s pretty eye-opening that 3 million more single women than single men own a home. Given the unique economic headwinds that women in this country face, including earning less than men on average, that is no small feat. I believe it speaks to the sacrifices that many women are willing to make in order to make a better financial life,” he told the Post. 

Shultz also told the Post that the ownership disparity often came down to priorities.

“Some of it could simply come down to the fact that single women are more willing than single men to prioritize homeownership. Buying a house generally isn’t something you do on a whim. It’s a process you have to commit to,” he said. 

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Responsibilities Of Single Women

The National Association of Realtors noted that when first-time homeowner stats are factored into the gender equation, single women’s share of property ownership — at 20% — doubles that of men. Increasingly, older home buyers are more active in buying than younger homeowners, who find themselves priced out. That leaves more homes for older homebuyers who are either downsizing as empty nesters or who can afford to sell a home after the death of a spouse and buy another property for cash. NAR data shows that the typical age of sellers has reached an all-time high of 63.

NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz told The Hill in May 2024 that caregiving could also be a factor in a woman’s desire for stability. 

“They’re more likely to be single moms, and they’re more likely to be purchasing a multi-generational home,” Lautz told the website. “So, they may have an elderly relative within that home as well.”

The same applies to single moms.

“The bottom line is owning versus renting removes the unknown of changing monthly payments and location,” she added.  

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