The amount needed for a down payment on a house varies, but here are the key points for 2025:

• The traditional benchmark of a 20% down payment is no longer required for most buyers. Many mortgages allow for lower down payments

• The median down payment in the U.S. is around 15% of the home's purchase price, which translates to about $54,310 as of January 2025

• First-time homebuyers typically put down less, with a median down payment between 8% and 13%, often around 9% according to recent data

• Repeat buyers tend to put down more, with median down payments closer to 18-19% of the purchase price

• The typical down payment dollar amount has been rising due to increasing home prices and mortgage rates, with some data showing typical down payments now exceeding $60,000 or about 16% of the purchase price

• Down payment requirements also vary by loan type; government-backed loans like VA and USDA loans may require as little as 0% down, while jumbo loans often require 10% or more

• Location matters: states like Hawaii and California have much higher median down payments (over $100,000), while states like Iowa and Ohio have lower medians (around $35,000)

In summary, while 20% down is ideal to avoid private mortgage insurance and get better loan terms, many buyers put down between 8% and 15% on average, with the actual amount depending on buyer history, loan type, and local market conditions