Homeownership has overtaken marriage as the leading financial ambition for couples in the UK, according to new figures from Zoopla.
Latest data from the property portal reveals that nearly half (48%) of UK renters in a relationship are prioritising saving for a property, compared to just 8% who are focused on funding a wedding.
Among Generation Z, that divergence is even more pronounced: 59% are directing their finances toward buying a home, while only 6% are saving for marriage.
CHANGING DEMOGRAPHIC
Just 57% of Gen Z now expected to marry – a steep decline from 72% of Gen X and 87% of baby boomers.
The findings highlight how the UK’s housing affordability crisis is no longer simply a macroeconomic issue but a central influence on social and personal decision-making. A quarter of couples report being forced to choose between saving for a wedding or a property, with over a third (37%) actively scaling back wedding plans to afford a deposit.
FINANCIAL STRAINS
The financial strain of meeting homeownership targets is also testing relationships, with 49% of respondents admitting that property-related finances have caused tension with their partner – a figure that rises among younger couples juggling high rents, stagnating wages, and elevated inflation.
AFFORDABILITY GAP
The vast north-south affordability divide continues to drive differing levels of homeownership optimism.
While 43% of those in northern England believe they can buy a home within the next five years, only 34% of southern counterparts say the same.
Across the UK, 73% of respondents say that the cost of housing in their region is the single biggest obstacle to achieving homeownership – a figure that spikes to 77% in the West Midlands and 82% in London.
PEAK EARNING
Millennials – many of whom have now entered their peak earning years – are among the most pessimistic.
Just 9% believe they can afford to prioritise homeownership where they currently live.
The affordability gap is particularly acute in the capital.
In London, the average deposit required for a first-time buyer property is now £138,800. Yet prospective buyers in the city believe they only need to save £39,800 – a misalignment that reflects a widespread underestimation of market realities.
This pattern is mirrored across most regions, with only Northern Ireland showing a realistic or even inflated expectation of deposit requirements.
FALLING SHORT
Nationally, the average deposit required for a first-time buyer property stands at £56,700 – based on a typical purchase price of £259,700. However, survey respondents believe they will need just £27,600, revealing a £29,100 gap between perception and reality.
This disconnect suggests that many first-time buyers could face significant delays in achieving homeownership, as financial planning falls short of actual market demands. The growing reliance on intergenerational wealth is also evident: one in four couples now expect to receive financial support from parents or in-laws to facilitate their first home purchase.
CHALLENGING AMBITION
Daniel Copley, Consumer Expert at Zoopla, said: “Home ownership clearly plays an important role in the aspirations of UK adults, with many prioritising it over getting married.
“However, achieving this ambition is challenging due to the considerable affordability gap, with our data highlighting the significant disconnect between what first-time buyers believe they need to save for a deposit and the actual amount required.
“This underscores that affordability is a central pillar in people’s home-buying decision-making process. Aspiring homeowners should engage with a qualified mortgage broker early on.
“They can provide essential guidance on deposit requirements, affordability thresholds and available financing options, ensuring buyers are well-informed as they embark on their property journey.”
