States Where Retirees Hold the Most Housing Wealth in 2026

1. Hawaii

• Total Houseowners: 304K
• Houseowners 65+: 138K
• Share of 65+ Houseowners: 45.50%
• Total value of homes owned by 65+ homeowners: $143.3B
• Average House Equity: $471K

Hawaii’s retirees own the largest share of housing wealth in the country, averaging $471K per homeowner aged 65 and older. They account for 45.5% of the state’s homeowner population, the highest percentage in the top ten, and together hold $143.3 billion in property value. Those who bought homes decades ago have watched their investments multiply as the state’s real estate market climbed steadily over the years.

2. California

California’s older homeowners control $2.7 trillion in housing wealth, the largest total of any state, though their average equity of $349K places them second overall. The state is home to 2.7 million retirees who own property, the biggest group in the ranking. They make up only 35.4% of California’s homeowner population, but their sheer numbers give them outsized financial influence compared with other states.

3. District of Columbia

The nation’s capital ranks third with retiree home equity averaging $262K. Only 38K older homeowners live in D.C., a relatively small group, yet they hold $35.3 billion in combined property value. Their 28.5% share of the city’s homeowner population is the smallest in the top ten, but Washington’s high real estate prices push equity levels well above many larger states.

4. Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers average equity of $236K for homeowners aged 65 and older. The state’s 602K older residents who own property control $417 billion in housing wealth and make up 34.1% of the homeowner base. A strong local real estate market has rewarded those who stayed in their homes for the long haul, delivering substantial gains over time.

5. Washington

Washington’s retirees hold average equity of $228K, with 660K older homeowners controlling $453.3 billion in combined property value. They represent 33.1% of the state’s homeowner population, a proportion that suggests a balanced mix of age groups. The state’s rising property values have helped older owners build a comfortable financial cushion for their retirement years.

A housing expert from Everest Mortgages commented on the study:

“Retirement used to mean selling the family home and moving somewhere smaller. That is not happening the way it used to. Older homeowners are staying put, and that is creating a bottleneck in the housing market. The result is that younger families are competing for fewer homes, and prices keep going up. But that also means retirees are building real wealth that can eventually be passed down or used to support their later years. The challenge is finding ways to make that wealth work for everyone.”