WayBack Wire
Then vs Now. The World Has Changed More Than You Think.

WayBack Wire

Then vs Now. The World Has Changed More Than You Think.

Articles — Page 5

When $30,000 Bought You a House and a Future: The Collapse of American Homeownership
Finance

When $30,000 Bought You a House and a Future: The Collapse of American Homeownership

In 1975, a median-income family could save for a down payment in a couple of years and own a home before thirty. Today, that same milestone can take a decade or more — and in some cities, it feels almost impossible. Here's how the math stopped working for everyday Americans.

Mar 13, 2026