Gen X, Here’s What a Home Cost in the Year You Were Born

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Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, is often called the “forgotten generation” for how the media can ignore referencing it in favor of bigger and more vocal generations like baby boomers and millennials. It also takes its name somewhat from the fact that many Gen Xers, as children, came home alone, as both parents worked; earning them the moniker “latchkey kids.”

From a financial standpoint, however, Gen Xers are one of the few generations to experience recessions in their young and adult lives, shaping the way they have been able to get ahead. Many Gen Xers have significant student loan debt, and are considered to be the first generation that is less financially secure than their parents.

Gen Xers are still playing catchup compared to older generations when it comes to homebuying. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, 54% of first-time homebuyers were Gen Xers in 2023.  Gen Xers also had the second-highest median household income of any generation ($126,933), just behind older millennials $127,700), suggesting that Gen Xers have taken longer to enter their higher-earning years.

For Gen Xers who find homeownership to be challenging, it’s no surprise when you look at how dramatically home values have changed over the decades. Here’s the cost of a home in each of the years that Gen Xers were born, as compared to the average cost in 2024.

1965

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $21,500
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $214,541

1966

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $23,300
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $226,708

1967

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $24,600
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $232,829

1968

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $26,600
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $242,217

1969

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $27,900
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $241,387

1970

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $26,600
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $217,488

1971

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $28,300
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $220,975

1972

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $30,500
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $230,100

1973

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $35,500
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $256,069

1974

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $38,900
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $254,178

1975

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $42,600
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $252,473

1976

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $48,000
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $268,192

1977

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $54,200
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $284,511

1978

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $62,500
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $307,898

1979

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $71,800
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $321,281

1980

• Average home sale price (in year sold): $76,400
• Average home sale price (in 2024): $297,905

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates found the national average home sale price from 1963 to 2023 in years sold dollars as well as current dollars. Using the U.S. Census’s New Residential Construction Average Home Sale Price, GOBankingRates found the historical average home sales price starting in 1963. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator, the historical home price can be calculated in current 2024 dollars. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 11, 2024.

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