Homeownership Is Now the Most Expensive Part of The American Dream

New York, NY, November 9, 2026—The cost of “The American Dream” has risen to over $5.3 million in a lifetime, reports Investopedia. 

“The American Dream” includes retirement, healthcare, owning a home, raising two children and paying for college, owning a new car, yearly vacation, pets and wedding.

Of that, owning a home is now the most expensive part of the American Dream, rising to $1,275,782 from $1,184,493. 

Here’s how that breaks down:

• The median price for a single-family home ran more than $420,000 over the 12 months through August, and a 30-year mortgage averaged 6.32%. 
• A 20% down payment plus 30 years of paying principal and interest totals roughly $837,000, or nearly twice the purchase price.
• Tack on property taxes at the average state rate of 0.9%, insurance at $3,057 a year, and 30 years of upkeep and utilities, and the cost of homeownership goes up another $438,000.