# Millennials split in two: A housing ownership divide Young millennials' homeownership chances revert to early 1900s levels. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-07-25 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f78058f3-ba5d-4e5d-a9f2-2ddb91c71d9c ## The deep divide among millennials Research reveals millennials have split into two groups: 36-45 year-olds are high-income homeowners while 27-35 year-olds struggle with housing affordability. This division highlights structural issues in the U.S. housing market. ## Young millennials' uphill battle Student loans, high rents, and credit card debt prevent young millennials from homeownership. Their median down payment of just 9% lags far behind other generations, exacerbating housing inequality. ## Return to multigenerational living Financial pressures are pushing young millennials toward multigenerational homes reminiscent of the early 1900s. 55% choose this arrangement for cost savings, fundamentally altering America's housing culture. ## Shocking real ownership rate Minneapolis Fed research shows only 22% of under-35s truly own homes. The commonly cited 37% figure is misleading as it counts all adults rather than household heads. ## Crushing weight of rents Post-pandemic rents up 18% make independent living unaffordable. 25 million young adults live with parents despite high employment rates, as home prices remain 34% above 2019 levels. ## Historic demographic shift In 2014, adults aged 18-34 were more likely to live with parents than spouses for the first time in 130 years. This trend strengthens as marriage ages rise and housing costs soar. ## An economic vicious cycle Young millennials' inability to buy homes prevents wealth accumulation, creating a cycle that will deepen future inequality. Urgent housing policy reforms are needed to break this pattern. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/25/millennial-generation-split-boomer-level-wealth-multigenerational-homes-housing/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._