In many U.S. states, saving for a 20% home down payment now takes over a decade, outpacing wage growth. Hawaii leads with 15.6 years needed due to limited land and high costs. California follows at 14.7 years, constrained by geography and tax laws. Massachusetts, Montana, Washington, and Rhode Island also face long waits, driven by rising home prices, limited supply, and demand from higher earners or out-of-state buyers, making homeownership increasingly unaffordable for typical earners.