Assuming that they have a 20% downpayment (a big if), current 30-year interest rates suggest a mortgage payment of $2,050/ month.
Certainly not as bad in other states, but assuming the effective RE tax rate is 2.5% of MV, that would be an annual RE tax payment of $10,375.
Add $3,200/ year for insurance, that suggests PITI of $3,180 per month, which doesn't include maintenance costs that they don't have to worry about as renters. If I were single, I'd rent, but the LLs know that the math is in their favor, so now even RV parks or mobile home parks charge over $500/ month just for you to sit your trailer on the site.
The problem is QE and the homebuyer credits - those only pushed forward demand and created below-market mortgage rates for years. Why would anyone give up their 3% mortgage to pay a much higher interest rate on a home that costs so much more than just five years ago? Now, the gvmt is out of bullets because the deficit spending keeps inflation high. More are entering the potential homebuyer category than selling (who are often dying or going to assisted living), so the math doesn't currently work for a home price decline.