32-Year-Old Couple Making Over $200,000 A Year Say Buying A Home ' Feels Not Worth It' — '$100K Is Lower Middle Class Here'

September 13, 2026 - 23:58

A 32-year-old couple earning more than $200,000 a year say buying a home now feels like a bad deal, even though they carry no debt and have roughly $150,000 in savings. The couple shared their situation in a personal finance forum, explaining that after years of saving they still cannot justify the numbers behind a purchase in their area.

The pair said their combined income puts them in a comfortable bracket on paper, but the reality of local prices tells a different story. According to them, a six-figure salary is closer to lower middle class where they live, because housing costs, taxes and everyday expenses eat up most of what they bring in. They described watching home prices and mortgage rates stay high while their rent remains far below what a monthly mortgage payment would cost.

The couple also pointed out that they are debt free, which gives them flexibility many buyers do not have. Tying up their savings in a down payment and taking on a large loan would leave them with less cash and more risk, especially if the market cools or their jobs change. They questioned whether building equity is still worth the trade-off when renting costs less each month and the money saved can be invested elsewhere.

Commenters offered mixed views. Some argued that owning a home is about stability rather than pure math, while others agreed that in expensive markets the traditional advice to buy no longer holds. The post reflects a growing frustration among younger earners who do everything right and still feel locked out of ownership.