Should You Buy a Home Before Getting Married? Economist Says Yes.

A social norm that ties homebuying to marriage is delaying women’s path to homeownership, even when they can afford to buy on their own. 31% of single men ages 25-34 own their home, compared with 23% of single women the same age—a 30% gap. Marriage increases the likelihood of owning a home by 26%, even after controlling for combined household income. Single women become homeowners at age 34, on average, while women who marry first reach homeownership at 31.