Homeownership is one of the surest ways to build wealth in the U.S. A recent report by Credit Karma notes that the median net worth of U.S. homeowners is 40 times higher than that of renters. This map shows homeownership rates in the states. West Virginia has the highest rate at 77.8%; New York has the lowest, at 53.6%. The rate of ownership has been declining in almost every state for years. The Urban Institute projects the rate will continue to decline due to an array of policies and economic obstacles, leaving about 3.3 million households out of the benefits of homeownership by 2040 who might otherwise have bought homes.