American Dream UNATTAINABLE? Many Think So

By 2065, most Americans will be permanent renters consulting AI doctors while homes reach a staggering $682,120 price tag, making the American Dream nearly unattainable for future generations.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly half of Gen Z (48%) believes retirement won’t be an option for most Americans in the next 40 years, signaling a dramatic shift in life expectations
• Americans predict the average home will cost $682,120 by 2065, with only 35% of current non-homeowners believing they’ll ever own property
• More than half of Americans (51%) anticipate digital alternatives for retirement care as traditional options become financially out of reach
• Digital currency (39%), biometric payments (36%), and robotic housekeepers (32%) are expected to become mainstream as Americans adapt to technology-dominated lifestyles
• Retirement nest eggs will need to reach $3.54 million according to 25% of respondents, while 64% believe younger generations will have worse retirement experiences than baby boomers

The End of Homeownership and Traditional Retirement

A new comprehensive survey reveals a troubling outlook for the traditional American Dream. The research, conducted by Talker Research for LevLane with 2,000 American participants, paints a stark picture of future homeownership prospects. Currently, only 41% of those surveyed own homes, while a mere 35% of non-owners believe they will ever achieve homeownership. Even more concerning, 25% expect to rent for their entire lives as housing costs continue to spiral beyond reach for average Americans.

The financial projections are equally alarming. By 2065, the average American home is expected to cost $682,120, requiring an estimated household income of $508,950 to maintain a comfortable standard of living. These figures represent a massive increase that outpaces current wage growth trends and suggests a deepening economic divide between property owners and renters in America’s future.

Digital Healthcare and AI-Powered Living

Technology will fundamentally transform healthcare and daily living according to survey respondents. Among the most significant predictions, 30% of Americans believe they’ll be living with implanted health monitors by 2065, while 35% expect their households to be primarily managed by smart home AI technology. The integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare appears inevitable, with many Americans anticipating regular consultations with AI doctors becoming standard practice.

“This research offers a striking look at how Americans, especially younger generations, are reimagining the future,” said Kelly Sizemore, chief growth officer at LevLane. From housing and health care to income and retirement, people are clearly preparing for a world where traditional milestones are being reshaped by technology, cost pressures and cultural shifts. But, these insights don’t just highlight anxieties, they also reveal how people expect innovation to rise and meet evolving needs. It’s a call to brands, institutions and policymakers to listen, adapt and lead with empathy and foresight.

Perhaps most striking is the expectation that 32% of Americans will live with robot roommates, housekeepers, or caregivers by 2065. This shift toward automated domestic assistance reflects both technological advancement and economic necessity, as fewer Americans expect to afford traditional human help or care services. The survey suggests these robotic aids will become particularly crucial for elder care as traditional retirement homes become financially unsustainable for most Americans.

Financial Revolution: Digital Currency and Changing Work Patterns

America’s financial landscape appears headed for massive disruption according to survey results. Thirty-nine percent of respondents foresee a society operating exclusively on digital currency by 2065, while 36% predict biometric payment methods will become standard. These changes align with President Trump’s recent interest in cryptocurrency regulation reform and suggest a decreasing role for traditional banking institutions in America’s economic future.

The traditional 40 hour workweek also appears headed for extinction. Respondents predict the average workweek will shrink to approximately 30 hours spread across four days by 2065. This change reflects both technological efficiencies and shifting priorities among younger Americans who increasingly value work life balance over traditional career advancement and financial accumulation.

“The picture painted here isn’t just about economic uncertainty, it’s about a shift in values,” said Chris Moreira, chief creative officer at LevLane. “Younger generations are signaling that the future they imagine isn’t rooted in excess, but in connection, flexibility and purpose. Whether it’s redefining retirement, rethinking ownership or embracing new technologies, the challenge and opportunity lies in designing a future that reflects these evolving priorities.”

Generational Divide in Retirement Expectations

Retirement concepts show the most dramatic generational shifts in the survey. A concerning 64% of Americans agree that younger generations will experience worse retirement conditions than baby boomers, with 48% of Gen Z believing retirement simply won’t be an option for most people in 40 years. The financial requirements appear insurmountable to many, with 25% believing retirement will require a nest egg of $3.54 million, a figure well beyond what most Americans can reasonably accumulate.

Gen Z’s retirement preferences differ significantly from their predecessors. While 29% want to retire with their family (compared to only 19% of boomers), 20% hope to travel extensively, and 17% desire hobby farms. Perhaps most telling, 16% of Gen Z express interest in living completely off grid, and 15% prefer co-living communities with friends models that reject traditional retirement concepts in favor of self-sufficiency and communal support systems.

The survey presents a sobering view of America’s future one where technology brings convenience but fails to solve fundamental economic challenges. The projected $682,120 average home price by 2065 signals a continued decline in homeownership opportunities for middle-class Americans, while digital retirement solutions appear as cost cutting measures rather than lifestyle improvements. For conservative Americans who value traditional economic models, these projections suggest an urgent need for policy interventions to restore the achievability of homeownership and financial security for future generations.