Boomers Used To Chase This Milestone. Gen Z Is Taking A Completely Different Approach

Having children, and prioritizing homeownership, are often viewed as common goals for younger Americans, dating back to when rates of both exploded immediately following World War II. However, this may not apply to modern young adults or Generation Z, born between the years of 1997 and 2012 — the oldest of which are 29 years old in 2026. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the average maternal age is on the rise. First-time moms were over 27 years old in 2023, while the average first-time mother in 1990 was closer to 20. ResiClub Analytics meanwhile reports that the median homebuyer in 1990 was 28, whereas, as of 2024, the median homebuying age had jumped to 38.

Finances are likely a top reason for both. In fact, a 2026 Bank of America study found that around a quarter of Gen Z singles reported delaying romance altogether due to finances. The cost of living has grown significantly in the 2020s, with prices for many everyday living essentials spiking in 2025. A Ramsey Solutions assessment of cost of living data shows that monthly costs can be disproportionately high for single people, which around half of Gen Z qualifies as. In other words, the world Gen Z lives in isn't the same as when older generations were young and members of both Millennials and Gen Z suffer from money phobia as a result of living through so much economic turmoil.

Gen Z delaying milestones that were commonplace for previous generations is just one behavior tied to the generation's growing concerns regarding financial wellbeing. The New York Times found that the generation is increasingly seeing the stock market as a more viable wealth vehicle than homeownership. On top of this, the 2024 Schwab Modern Wealth survey found that Americans are actually investing younger and younger, with the average Gen Zer starting at age 19. In comparison, Millennials started at 25, and both Gen X and Baby Boomers didn't start until their 30s.

Of course, investing is more accessible in 2026 than it was for earlier generations thanks to things like the internet, roboadvisors, and even automated investing platforms which all allow a young person to invest right from their phone. However, you should always do your own research before signing up with any automated investing platform or making any specific investments — especially considering a 2025 FINRA report found that 45% of investors relied on the internet for investing advice. These tools can be easy financial additions to help save and grow your money, but it's important to know what you're getting into.