Cities Where Homeowners Stay in Their Homes the Longest

Whether it’s due to financial or personal reasons, many Americans move several times throughout their lives.

However, there are others who are deeply rooted into their “forever” home.

For many homeowners, a forever home is the ultimate goal of homeownership. Not only does it symbolize a place where homeowners can firmly plant roots into a community, but it’s also a place where their family members can stay under the same roof for years to come.

Unlike a starter home or a temporary home, a forever home provides an ideal environment for multiple phases of life. Forever homeowners are perfectly content with the size, affordability and location of their home, but which cities are home to the most forever homeowners?

Nationwide, more than 12 million homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years, which is 14.5% of all owner-occupied homes. However, several cities far exceed the national average for tenured homeowners. In order to identify where homeowners are staying in their homes the longest, Rocket Homes^SM analyzed homeownership tenure data from more than 120 cities across the country via the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Along with ranking cities with the most forever homeowners, the study also ranks cities with the newest homeowners, or homeowners who have lived in their homes for less than 4 years. Together, these rankings provide a snapshot of cities where homeowners are either deeply rooted or just starting to plant roots in their new home. 

1. Honolulu, Hawaii

Percent of tenured homeowners: 25.2%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2007

Median-sold price: $645,544

Topping the list is none other than Honolulu, Hawaii. With warm weather, award-winning beaches and "The Aloha Spirit," it’s probably not much of a surprise that America’s top city for tenured homeowners is located in Hawaii. Overall, one-quarter (25%) of homeowners in Honolulu have lived in the same home for more than 30 years.

2. Yonkers, New York

Percent of tenured homeowners: 22.8%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2004

Median-sold price: $434,812

Located 20 miles northeast of New York City, Yonkers is home to America’s number two city with the most tenured homeowners. More than 2 in 10 homeowners in Yonkers have lived in the same home for more than 3 decades, according to Census Bureau data. The city’s close proximity to the “Big Apple” makes it an ideal location for homeowners looking for more affordable real estate home prices compared to New York City. The median-sold price in Yonkers is $434,812, while the median-sold price in New York City is $847,297.

3. Oakland, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 19.9%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2008

Median-sold price: $910,080

Nearly 20% of homeowners in Oakland have lived in the same home for more than 30 years, which puts this Bay Area city at the number three spot on the list of tenured homeowners. The median year homeowners moved into their homes in Oakland is 2008, but 14,484 Oakland homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years.

4. San Francisco, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 19.7%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2007

Median-list price: $1,195,900

San Francisco is the second of four Bay Area cities on the list of cities with the most tenured homeowners. With iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets and eclectic architecture, San Francisco is arguably one of the most ideal cities to find a forever home. Overall, more than 27,000 homeowners in San Francisco have lived in the same home for more than 30 years.

5. Worcester, Massachusetts

Percent of tenured homeowners: 19.6%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2006

Median-sold price: $395,026

Rounding out the top five cities is Worcester, Massachusetts. Located roughly 40 miles southwest of Boston, Worcester is known as the “Heart of the Commonwealth” due to its proximity to the center of the state. It’s also home to several colleges and universities such as College of the Holy Cross and Clark University. Nearly 20% of homeowners in Worcester have been living in the same home for more than three decades, according to the Census Bureau.

6. Los Angeles, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 19.2%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2006

Median-sold price: $979,678

Nearly 100,000 homeowners in Los Angeles have been living under the same roof for more than 30 years. Overall, the median year homeowners in Los Angeles moved into their home was 2006, but 19% of homeowners have stayed put for even longer. Apparently, Los Angeles’ mild winters and more than 270 days of sunshine per year make the city an ideal place for a forever home.

7. Jersey City, New Jersey

Percent of tenured homeowners: 19.1%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2009

Median-list price: $565,500

Similar to Yonkers, Jersey City is also located in close proximity to New York City, but offers more affordable real estate options. The median list price for homes in Jersey City is about $280,000 less than the median sold price for homes in New York City. Location and affordability could be contributing factors to the number of tenured homeowners in Jersey City, which is 19.1% of all homeowners in the city. 

8. Fremont, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 17.1%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2009

Median-sold price: $1,321,062

Another Bay Area city making the list is none other than Fremont. Along with being a hub for workers within the tech field, this Silicon Valley area is known for its family-friendly community as well as its parks and outdoor activities. Overall, 7,949 Fremont homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years. Fremont was founded in 1956, which means 17% of the city’s homeowners have lived in the same home in Fremont for much of the city’s existence.   

9. San Jose, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 17.0%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2007

Median-sold price: $1,259,975

Only 18 miles away from Fremont, San Jose is the fourth Bay Area city on the list of areas with the most tenured homeowners. Known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” not only is San Jose a hub for technological innovation, but it is also a place where 17% of homeowners have decided to live in the same home for decades. More than 30,000 San Jose homeowners have been living in the same home for 30 or more years, according to the Census Bureau. 

10. Boston, Massachusetts

Percent of tenured homeowners: 16.3%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2009

Median-sold price: $776,504

With more than 15,000 homeowners living in their home for more than 30 years, Boston rounds out the top 10 cities on this list. The median year Boston homeowners moved into their home is 2009, but 16% of homeowners have been staying put under the same roof for the last 3 decades.

11. Anaheim, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 16.0%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2007

Median-sold price: $810,750

Homeowners living in the Golden State have multiple reasons to be forever homeowners, including the state’s mild temperatures and ample sunshine, which is probably why California cities dominate the list of top 15 cities with the most tenured homeowners. Anaheim is one of nine California cities on the list. Overall, 16% of homeowners in Anaheim have found their forever homes and haven’t moved in more than 30 years. 

12. Washington, District of Columbia

Percent of tenured homeowners: 15.8%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2011

Median-sold price: $663,775

More than 21,000 homeowners living in the nation’s capital haven’t moved from their homes in decades, according to the Census Bureau. The nearly 16% of homeowners who have put down roots in the same home for more than 30 years have likely spent them enjoying the city’s abundance of parks and green spaces. These features are just one reason Washington D.C. is one of the least stressed cities in America.

13. San Diego, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 15.5%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2010

Median-sold price: $850,321

With 70 miles of beaches and an ideal climate, more than 38,000 have found very few reasons to move out of the city, not to mention their own home. Overall, 15% of San Diego homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years, which puts this city at the thirteenth spot on the list. 

14. Sacramento, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 14.9%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2011

Median-list price: $437,000

Not only do California cities dominate the overall list of forever homeowners, but they also bookend the list. Known as the “City of Trees,” Sacramento has an abundance of lush tree canopies as well as fresh produce and locally sourced food. These are just a few reasons why nearly 15% of the city’s forever homeowners have been living there for decades.

15. Oxnard, California

Percent of tenured homeowners: 14.9%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2007

Median-sold price: $700,000

Rounding out the list of cities with the most tenured homeowners is Oxnard, California. This gorgeous seaside city is located 60 miles west of Los Angeles and offers sandy beaches as well as Channel Islands National Park. Considering the city’s picturesque landscape, it’s no surprise that nearly 15% of its homeowners have decided to call their Oxnard home a forever home.

Which Cities Have the Newest Homeowners?

From safety and affordability of home prices to climate and location, there are many factors for home buyers to keep in mind when it comes to finding an ideal place to live.

But several cities tend to attract more new homeowners and first-time home buyers than others. In order to find out which cities are home to the largest percentage of new homeowners, Rocket Homes^SM analyzed Census Bureau housing tenure for homeowners who moved into their homes within the last 4 years.

1. McKinney, Texas

Percent of new homeowners: 27.7%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2016

Median-list price: $519,144

This Dallas suburb is bustling with newbie neighbors. In fact, more than one-quarter (27.7%) of homeowners are new to McKinney, which is located about 30 miles north of Dallas. Overall, more than 13,000 homeowners have moved to McKinney within the last 4 years. It’s also the first of two Dallas suburbs on the list of cities with the newest homeowners.  

2. Port St. Lucie, Florida

Percent of new homeowners: 27.2%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-sold price: $388,877

With 20% of its population above the age of 65, Port St. Lucie is a hot spot for retirees, which is probably one of the reasons why so many new homeowners are flocking to this Florida coastal community. Port St. Lucie is home to more than 17,000 homeowners who have moved into the city within the last 4 years.

3. Frisco, Texas

Percent of new homeowners: 24.2%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-list price: $650,245

Frisco is the second Dallas suburb featured on the list of cities with the newest homeowners. Similar to McKinney, Frisco is also located roughly 30 miles north of Dallas. The city has a low crime rate and is a hub for several corporate employers. It has been listed as one of the best cities in Texas to live in, so it’s no wonder so many have been eager to call Frisco “home.”

4. Norfolk, Virginia

Percent of new homeowners: 24.0%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2012

Median-list price: $309,985

Norfolk has been booming for decades, according to the city. Not only is it home to Chesapeake Bay beachfront, but the city is also home to the North American Headquarters for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as well as the world’s largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of Norfolk homeowners are new to the area, according to the Census Bureau.

5. Gilbert, Arizona

Percent of new homeowners: 23.0%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-sold price: $564,419

When it comes to growing metropolitan areas, look no further than Phoenix. This area has more cities with the newest homeowners than any other metropolitan area on the top 15 list. Gilbert, Mesa and Scottsdale are all ranked within the top 15. Gilbert is home to more than 16,000 homeowners who moved into the city within the last 4 years. Only 1.4% of Gilbert homeowners have been living in the city for more than 30 years.   

6. Durham, North Carolina

Percent of new homeowners: 22.8%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-sold price: $400,639

Located roughly 20 miles from Raleigh, this North Carolina city is home to slightly less than 300,000 residents, but nearly 23% of Durham homeowners moved into the city within the last 4 years. Overall, the median year homeowners moved into Durham is 2015.

7. Denver, Colorado

Percent of new homeowners: 22.8%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2014

Median-sold price: $613,136

With Denver’s spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, abundance of outdoor activities and nearly 300 days of annual sunshine, it makes sense why so many have been eager to become homeowners in the Mile High City. Overall, more than 164,000 Denver homeowners have moved to the city within the last 4 years.  

8. Mesa, Arizona

Percent of new homeowners: 22.3%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2013

Median-sold price: $443,244

Mesa is Metro Phoenix’s second city on the list of newest homeowners. More than two in 10 Mesa homeowners are new to the city. Meanwhile, only 7.4% of Mesa homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years. 

9. Scottsdale, Arizona

Percent of new homeowners: 22.2%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2013

Median-sold price: $799,963

Rounding out the list of Metro Phoenix cities with the newest homeowners is Scottsdale. More than 119,000 homeowners moved into Scottsdale within the last 4 years, according to the Census Bureau. Not only is Scottsdale in close proximity to downtown Phoenix, but it’s also home to the largest urban wilderness area in the United States, which gives the city a great mix of urban and natural landscapes.

10. Aurora, Colorado

Percent of new homeowners: 22.1%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2014

Median-sold price: $474,844

Less than 10 miles east of Denver is the number 10 spot on the list of cities with the newest homeowners. Overall, 22% of Aurora homeowners are new to the city, which is the third-largest city in Colorado. Aurora offers less hustle and bustle than Denver, but still provides residents with plenty of options for cultural food, art and recreation.

11. Tampa, Florida

Percent of new homeowners: 22.0%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2013

Median-sold price: $413,326

Plenty of sunshine and access to great beaches are just a few reasons why Tampa has seen an influx of new homeowners throughout the last several years. According to the Census Bureau, 22% of Tampa homeowners moved to the city within the last 4 years. In terms of homeowner tenure, Tampa offers a mixture of old and new. Nearly 14% of the city’s homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years.

12. Cape Coral, Florida

Percent of new homeowners: 21.7%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-sold price: $412,940

Located 2 1/2 hours south of Tampa and 10 miles south of Sarasota, Cape Coral ranks twelfth on the list of cities with the newest homeowners. The median year Cape Coral homeowners moved into their home is 2015 and nearly 20% of homeowners moved into their home within the last 4 years.

13. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Percent of new homeowners: 21.6%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2014

Median sold price: $470,726

Denver isn’t the only Colorado city with an abundance of new homeowners. Colorado Springs has also been a magnet for new homeowners, with nearly 22% of homeowners moving in within the last 4 years. The Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods park are just a few natural wonders new homeowners in Colorado Springs can enjoy while taking in their new city.  

14. Henderson, Nevada

Percent of new homeowners: 21.3%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2015

Median-sold price: $469,990

Located just outside of Las Vegas, Henderson is home to more than 17,000 new homeowners. Overall, 21% of homeowners in Henderson moved into their home within the last 4 years, according to the Census Bureau.

15. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Percent of new homeowners: 21.1%

Median year homeowners moved into home: 2011

Median-sold price: $325,456

Rounding out the list of top 15 cities is Minneapolis. This city is another unique location, which offers a balance of old and new in terms of homeowner tenure. Overall, 21% of homeowners in Minneapolis moved into their homes within the last 4 years, while 13% of Minneapolis homeowners have lived in the same home for more than 30 years.  

Methodology

To determine our ranking of places with the most forever homeowners, we analyzed owner-occupied single-family home data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2021. Renter-occupied data was not included within this study. Our analysis looked at the percentage of homeowners who have lived in the same home for more than 30 years within the 122 most populated cities across the country. These cities have a population of at least 200,000 residents. In order to determine cities with the largest number of new homeowners, we looked at the percentage of homeowners who have lived in their homes since 2019 or later.

Median-sold price and median-list price were analyzed for each city via Rocket Homes housing market report data between March 2023 and April 2023. Median sold price is based on all homes sold in the last 12 months. Median list price was used for cities with insufficient median sold price data.  

Qualifiers were used within this study in order to determine the final rankings. The qualifiers included both the percentage of households living above the nationwide median poverty level (4.9%) as well as households with a median income above the nationwide median household income ($101,885).