Past generations have been studied extensively, but we are still in the early stages of understanding Gen Z. On the surface, this is a generation of digital natives shaped by social media, constant connectivity, and an ever-evolving vocabulary of new slang. But beyond these stereotypes, what do we really know about Gen Z, particularly when it comes to their housing preferences and aspirations?
Part 1 of Zonda’s Gen Z report established who this cohort is today by examining their approach to work, current living situation, savings, and relocation plans/rationale. The results revealed a generation that is optimistic about its future while facing real challenges related to affordability, cost of living, and housing access.
Part 2 turns to housing itself. From Gen Z’s homeownership aspirations and affordability hurdles to differences between renters and owners, Zonda examines how this generation is navigating today’s housing market and what they want from the homes and communities of tomorrow.
To recap the basics, the results are from Zonda’s inaugural Gen Z survey, conducted in June 2026 among roughly 1,000 respondents across 47 states. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, and New York were the most represented. Among the respondents:
- 86% were between the ages of 17 and 26
- 64% were single and 12% were married
- 70% did not have children (compared with 70% of our millennial respondents who did have children)
The insights in this article are just a snippet of a more in-depth research report published in Zonda’s National Outlook.
