NAR: Home Prices Increased in 77% of Metro Areas in Third Quarter of 2025

Real Estate In-Depth • November 6, 2025
NAR: Home Prices Increased in 77% of Metro Areas in Third Quarter of 2025

WASHINGTON—Home prices rose in 77% of metro markets (176 out of 230) during the third quarter of 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors latest quarterly report released today. This is up from 75% in the second quarter. Four percent of metro areas recorded double-digit price gains in the third quarter, down slightly from 5% in the second quarter of 2025.

The national median single-family existing-home price grew 1.7% year over year to $426,800—the same annual growth rate recorded in the second quarter.

Median existing single-family home price by region (year-over-year change)

Northeast: $540,100 (+6.0%)
Midwest: $331,100 (+4.2%)
South: $372,800 (+0.5%)
West: $633,900 (-0.1%)

“Home sales have struggled to gain traction, but prices continue to rise, contributing to record-high housing wealth,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Markets in the supply-constrained Northeast and the more affordable Midwest have generally seen stronger price appreciation.”

“Price declines are occurring mainly in southern states, where there has been robust new home construction in recent years,” added Yun. “Given the region’s faster job growth, these price drops should be viewed as temporary and as a second-chance opportunity for those previously priced out of the market.”

10 Large Markets with Biggest Year-Over-Year Median Price Increases

Trenton, NJ (+9.9%)
Lansing-East Lansing, MI (+9.8%)
Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY (+9.4%)
New Haven-Milford, CT (+9.0%)
New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ (+8.1%)
Manchester-Nashua, NH (+8.0%)
St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (+7.9%)
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT (+7.8%)
Toledo, OH (+7.7%)
Cleveland-Elyria, OH (+7.7%)

10 Most Expensive Markets

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($1,915,000; +0.8%)
Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA ($1,400,000; +0.1%)
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($1,315,000; +0.5%)
Urban Honolulu, HI ($1,127,900; -0.9%)
Salinas, CA ($1,019,900; +6.3%)
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($1,009,500; 0.0%)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA ($954,100; +0.7%)
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($935,700; -1.2%)
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ($931,800; -1.9%)
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($844,900; +7.8%)

Housing Affordability

  • 23% of markets experienced declining home price, down slightly from 24% last quarter.
  • $2,187: monthly mortgage payment on a typical existing single-family home with a 20% down payment.
  • 2.8% decrease from the previous quarter.
  • 2.1% increase year-over-year.
  • 24.8%: average share of income typical families spent on mortgage payments.
  • Down from 25.6% last quarter.
  • Down from 25.2% last year.

First-Time Buyers

  • $2,146: the monthly mortgage payment for a typical starter home valued at $362,800 with a 10% down payment.
  • $61 decrease from Q2.
  • $45 increase year-over-year.
  • 37.4%: share of income first-time buyers spent on monthly mortgage payments.
  • Down from 38.6% in Q2.
  • Down from 38.1% year-over-year.

By Real Estate In-Depth July 23, 2026
Bond ratings evaluate the creditworthiness of government entities and help determine the interest rates they pay when financing public projects.
By Real Estate In-Depth July 23, 2026
Participation in the pilot program is voluntary and available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available.
By Real Estate In-Depth July 23, 2026
The temporary pause applies only to the largest proposed AI data centers, those with significant electricity demands, and does not affect existing facilities or smaller-scale projects.
By Real Estate In-Depth July 23, 2026
For real estate professionals, Disability Pride Month is also an opportunity to reflect on the critical role REALTORS® play in promoting equal access to housing.
By Rey Hollingsworth Falu July 21, 2026
By modernizing outdated regulations, streamlining responsible development, and expanding opportunities to build more homes, this legislation lays the foundation for a stronger housing future.
By Real Estate In-Depth July 21, 2026
The new law resolves an issue involving Orange County's distribution of additional local sales tax revenue without required statutory authority.
More