08/27/2026
US Home Prices Rose in Q2
As we look back at the second quarter of 2026, it’s clear that homebuyers remained engaged across much of the country—even as home prices continued to climb. In fact, prices increased in 184 out of 230 metro areas, pushing the national single-family median to $434,900, a 1.5% rise over last year. Regionally, we saw the Northeast’s prices grow by 3.8% to $547,200, the Midwest up 3.6% to $340,800, and the South up 1% to $380,000. The West was the exception, with a slight dip of 0.8% to $637,900. Most regions experienced higher sales, especially the South, fueled by faster job growth, while the Northeast saw slower hiring paired with quicker price appreciation. For buyers, the median monthly mortgage payment reached $2,199—a quarterly increase of $219, but $52 less than last year. On average, families allocated 23.8% of their income to mortgage payments, up from 21.8% the previous quarter. Notably, starter-home prices fell compared to last year, even as payment amounts rose by $214 this quarter. As a Compass agent, I encourage those navigating these dynamic market conditions to keep informed—understanding these shifts is key to making confident real estate decisions.
