How long it takes to save for a house in Boston

It takes single people in Boston 31 more years to save for a starter home than couples, per a recent Point2 study .

Why it matters: Dual-income partners earn over twice what singles do, according to the data.

• Boston is one of the least affordable markets in the country for anyone, regardless of their marriage status.
• Renting is still cheaper month-to-month than paying a mortgage.

Zoom in: The median income for singles is $48,338, compared to $101,265 for couples, per Point2 data.

• The study assumes people are saving 20% of their income for a downpayment.
• A starter home is defined as the median price of the cheaper third of listings in the region.
• This calculation assumes a 6.6% mortgage rate. Current mortgage rates are hovering around 7%.

The big picture: It takes single people four times longer than couples to save for a starter home in the U.S., per Point2.

• It's even worse than Boston in some places, like in California, where it would take people an entire lifetime to save for a house.

Between the lines: The timeline for comfortably buying a house largely depends on where you live.

• On the West Coast and northeast cities, singles need decades longer to save for a starter home.
• In the Midwest, being partnered doesn't give you a huge leg up.

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