Key Facts
- The median down payment in the US is $78,831 or 19% on a median priced home of $405,300
- Homebuyers aged 25-33 rely heavily on gifts to fund their down payment
- Washington D.C., Florida, and Hawaii have the highest median down payments at $98,670
- Mississippi has the lowest median down payment at just $5,814
- 24% of first-time buyers use gifts or loans from family and friends for their down payment
- First-time buyers put down a median of 10%, while repeat buyers put down 23%
Median Down Payment by State
Median Down Payment by State
The map above shows the median down payment by state based on ATTOM mortgage origination data from Q3 2023. States in darker shades have higher median down payments, while lighter shades indicate lower down payments. Western states and major metropolitan areas tend to have higher down payments due to elevated home prices.
Median Down Payment by State Table
| State | Median Down Payment | Median Down Payment % |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $98,670 | 21% |
| Florida | $98,670 | 17% |
| Hawaii | $98,670 | 17% |
| Washington | $86,752 | 29% |
| California | $84,244 | 18% |
| Massachusetts | $79,206 | 19% |
| Colorado | $75,304 | 19% |
| Montana | $72,833 | 21% |
| New Jersey | $71,547 | 18% |
| New Hampshire | $71,500 | 20% |
| Idaho | $64,985 | 20% |
| Oregon | $55,015 | 17% |
| New York | $50,843 | 17% |
| Vermont | $48,534 | 18% |
| Connecticut | $47,342 | 19% |
| Rhode Island | $45,285 | 17% |
| Utah | $43,488 | 16% |
| Delaware | $40,412 | 17% |
| Minnesota | $38,500 | 16% |
| South Dakota | $37,630 | 17% |
| Georgia | $35,572 | 16% |
| Arizona | $34,072 | 15% |
| Nevada | $33,306 | 15% |
| Wyoming | $32,389 | 16% |
| North Carolina | $31,867 | 15% |
| Virginia | $29,704 | 14% |
| Nebraska | $29,617 | 15% |
| Wisconsin | $28,333 | 15% |
| Illinois | $27,348 | 14% |
| Iowa | $26,461 | 16% |
| Tennessee | $25,969 | 15% |
| Maryland | $25,723 | 12% |
| Pennsylvania | $25,402 | 14% |
| North Dakota | $24,543 | 15% |
| South Carolina | $24,357 | 15% |
| Michigan | $23,153 | 14% |
| Alaska | $21,354 | 12% |
| Texas | $18,780 | 12% |
| Kansas | $18,325 | 13% |
| Missouri | $17,832 | 13% |
| New Mexico | $17,576 | 13% |
| Kentucky | $17,548 | 13% |
| Maine | $17,548 | 16% |
| Indiana | $17,477 | 13% |
| Ohio | $15,044 | 12% |
| Oklahoma | $13,177 | 12% |
| Arkansas | $11,996 | 12% |
| Alabama | $8,788 | 11% |
| West Virginia | $6,611 | 9% |
| Louisiana | $6,470 | 9% |
| Mississippi | $5,814 | 9% |
Highest Down Payment States
The states with the highest median down payments are primarily located in high-cost coastal areas and major metropolitan regions:
- District of Columbia - $98,670 (21%)
- Florida - $98,670 (17%)
- Hawaii - $98,670 (17%)
- Washington - $86,752 (29%)
- California - $84,244 (18%)
These areas have experienced significant home price appreciation, making larger down payments necessary to qualify for mortgages and reduce monthly payments.
Lowest Down Payment States
States with the lowest median down payments tend to be in regions with more affordable housing:
- Mississippi - $5,814 (9%)
- Louisiana - $6,470 (9%)
- West Virginia - $6,611 (9%)
- Alabama - $8,788 (11%)
- Arkansas - $11,996 (12%)
Lower home prices in these states mean buyers need less cash upfront, making homeownership more accessible despite potential income differences.
How Young Homebuyers Fund Down Payments
Homebuyers aged 25-33 rely heavily on gifts to fund their down payment. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
- 24% of first-time buyers used gifts or loans from family and friends
- 61% used savings to fund their down payment
- 10% used the proceeds from the sale of stocks or bonds
- 7% used a 401(k), pension, or IRA withdrawal
For younger buyers who haven’t had as much time to accumulate savings, family assistance often bridges the gap between what they can save and what’s needed for a down payment.
First-Time vs. Repeat Buyer Down Payments
There’s a significant difference between first-time and repeat buyers:
| Buyer Type | Median Down Payment % |
|---|---|
| First-time buyers | 10% |
| Repeat buyers | 23% |
| All buyers | 19% |
Repeat buyers have the advantage of home equity from their previous property, allowing them to make larger down payments on their next home. First-time buyers typically need to rely more on savings, gifts, and down payment assistance programs.
Why Down Payments Vary by State
Several factors explain the variation in down payments across states:
- Home prices: Higher-priced markets require larger absolute down payments even at the same percentage
- Income levels: States with higher incomes tend to have buyers who can save more
- Market competition: Hot markets may require larger down payments to compete with cash buyers
- Local lending practices: Some regions have more prevalent use of VA loans, FHA loans, or first-time buyer programs
- Housing type: Condos vs. single-family homes have different typical down payments
How to Save for a Down Payment
If you’re working toward homeownership, consider these strategies:
- Set up automatic transfers to a dedicated savings account
- Look into down payment assistance programs in your state
- Consider house hacking to build equity while reducing living expenses
- Explore first-time homebuyer programs that allow lower down payments
- Use a FHSA or retirement account for eligible first-time buyer withdrawals
See also: Median Income by State | Mortgage Affordability Calculator | Down Payment Calculator
Data sources: National median down payment ($78,831 / 19%) from NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2025. Median home price ($405,300) from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) Q4 2025. State-by-state down payment data from ATTOM mortgage origination data Q3 2023.