Cash isn’t the only way homebuyers are paying for their homes; they’re also paying in the years it takes to break even on a property. Depending on the local market, it could take a homebuyer nearly 50 years to break even on their purchase, while for others, it just takes a handful of years.

Major variations exist at the local level, and that means buyers in some areas are more likely to buy while others markets are likely to see would-be buyers gravitate toward build-to-rent and other long-term rental options.

A recent report from real estate marketing platform Zillow looks at how long it takes for buyers to break even on home purchases in markets across the U.S. Nationwide, a typical U.S. household needs 8.5 years to save for a down payment and an additional 6.2 years to break even, compared with renting.

Where does it take the most time to break even on a purchase?

In San Jose, Calif., buyers pay the most in time. It takes the typical household there 19.2 years to save for a down payment and 30 years to break even on their purchase, making for a combined 49.2 years. However, buying a starter home can cut that combined time drastically down to 35.3 years.

Where are buyers breaking even the quickest?

Meanwhile, in Memphis, it takes 6.8 years to save for a down payment and 4.2 years to break even for a combined total of just 10.9 years. And if households are seeking out a starter home, the years are cut in half to just 5.2 years.