"One of the key reasons: homeownership. DINKS may have higher household incomes and more advanced degrees, but they own fewer homes, resulting in less equity. Having kids often push couples into homeownership: 71% of DINKs own a home, compared with 79% of dual-income couples with kids. Age is also an important factor, as people tend to accumulate more wealth as they grow older."
"When you zoom out to total wealth, which includes savings, investments, retirement accounts, and debt, the gap widens: DINKs have $214,700 in median wealth, while couples with kids have $361,500. DINKs have $165,000 in home equity, compared with $222,000 for couples with kids, but that's just the housing piece of their finances."
"The ages measured in the survey are mostly late millennials and early Gen X. Pew research describes DINK couples as married couples in which at least one spouse is 30 to 49 years old. Both spouses work and earn an income, and neither spouse has ever had any children."
Couples without children have lower median total wealth ($214,700) than dual-income couples with children ($361,500). DINKs hold $165,000 in median home equity versus $222,000 for couples with kids. Homeownership rates are 71% for DINKs and 79% for dual-income couples with children. DINK households may report higher incomes and more advanced degrees but still own fewer homes, reducing equity accumulation. Median age differences help explain the gap: the older spouse in DINK couples is 36 on average versus 43 in dual-income couples with kids. Homeownership is becoming less attainable for younger buyers.
Read at Fortune
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