Single-Family Home Prices on the Rise in 73% of US Metros

Affordability across the single-family home market improved in Q-4 2025, with a recent report from the National Association of Realtors showing that there was a 5.7% year-over-year decline in monthly mortgage payments. At the same time, median family incomes rose to $107,751 in Q-4 2025 compared with $102,795 the previous year, and mortgage rates also came down slightly from 6.73% in Q-4 2024 to 6.31% in Q-4 2025.

While affordability improved in some ways, the national median home price still increased by 1.2% year-over-year in Q-4 2025 to $414,900. Of 230 metros analyzed, home prices grew in 73% of them, with some metros reporting much higher increases.

Where did home prices grow the most?

Although the South is traditionally more affordable, it was also the region that saw the most year-over-year home price appreciation in Q-4 2025. Cape Girardeau, Mo., led the way. There, home prices rose by 19.9% in Q-4 2025. This metro was followed by the Cumberland, Md.-W.V., metro at 17.1%, and then Owensboro, Ky., at 15%. With respective gains of 14.9% and 13.7%, Anniston and Mobile, Ala., round out the top five.

Where did home prices drop the most?

Meanwhile, Elmira, N.Y., saw the largest year-over-year decrease in single-family home prices. There, home prices declined by 7.2% in Q-4. This metro was followed by Farmington, N.M., with a 7% decline, while Boulder, Colo., and Pueblo, Colo., both reported a 6.7% decline in prices and Cleveland, Tenn., saw prices drop by 6%.