Home prices vary enormously across the United States. The median sale price in West Virginia is under $150,000. In Hawaii, it’s over $700,000. Understanding where prices sit — and how fast they’re moving — is essential for any buying or investing decision.
The Current Picture
HomeStats pulls weekly data from Redfin’s data center to track median sale prices for all 50 states. Visit the interactive map for a visual breakdown, or explore any state page for detailed trend data.
The national median home price sits around $420,000 as of early 2026. But that number masks massive variation.
Most Affordable States (Median Price)
| State | Median Price | Price-to-Income | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | ~$140,000 | 2.5x | Buyer-friendly |
| Mississippi | ~$175,000 | 3.5x | Buyer-friendly |
| Arkansas | ~$195,000 | 3.8x | Neutral |
| Oklahoma | ~$200,000 | 3.6x | Neutral |
| Iowa | ~$205,000 | 3.2x | Buyer-friendly |
Most Expensive States (Median Price)
| State | Median Price | Price-to-Income | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | ~$720,000 | 8.2x | Seller-friendly |
| California | ~$685,000 | 7.5x | Seller-friendly |
| Massachusetts | ~$580,000 | 5.8x | Seller-friendly |
| Washington | ~$545,000 | 5.9x | Neutral |
| Colorado | ~$530,000 | 5.6x | Neutral |
Price-to-Income: The Metric That Matters More
Raw prices don’t tell the full story. A $300,000 home is affordable if the median household income is $100,000. It’s a stretch if the median income is $50,000.
The price-to-income ratio divides the median home price by the median household income. Historically, 3-4x has been considered “affordable.” Many states now exceed 5x, and several metros are above 8x.
HomeStats calculates this ratio for every state and displays the affordability gap — how much more or less than needed the median household earns to afford the median home under standard 28% DTI lending rules.
Year-Over-Year Changes
Price appreciation has slowed from the 15-20% annual gains of 2021-2022 to a more normal 2-5% range in most states. Some markets have seen flat or slightly declining prices, particularly in:
- Markets that saw the largest pandemic-era price spikes
- States with rising inventory and softening demand
- Areas affected by insurance cost increases (Florida panhandle, parts of Louisiana)
States with the strongest continued appreciation tend to have:
- Low inventory relative to demand
- Strong job markets and in-migration
- Limited buildable land
Check current year-over-year changes for any state on the HomeStats state pages.
What This Means for Buyers
Price alone should not drive your buying decision. The total cost of ownership varies dramatically by state due to differences in:
- Property tax rates (0.27% to 2.23%)
- Insurance costs ($1,120 to $4,334 per year)
- Utility costs (electricity ranges from 10 to 32 cents/kWh)
- Maintenance costs (trade labor and materials vary 40-60% between states)
- Climate risk (affecting insurance, replacement reserves, and ongoing costs)
A $300,000 home in New Jersey with 2.23% property tax costs $6,690 more per year in taxes alone than the same price home in Hawaii at 0.27%. Factor in higher insurance, utilities, and maintenance in cold climates, and the gap grows.
Use the HomeStats state comparison to see the complete cost picture, not just the sticker price.
For the complete analysis of what homes actually cost to buy, own, and sell, read The Resale Trap.