Market Data
Average home prices, explained.
A primer on how home prices are measured — NAR median, Case-Shiller, ZHVI, Redfin — and which metrics actually drive buy/sell decisions in your submarket. Connect with agents who run live MLS comps, not headline averages.
Find an agent who runs real comps →01
Data sources: NAR, Case-Shiller, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin, local MLS.
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Median vs. average: when luxury outliers distort the picture.
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Submarket metrics: $/sqft, list-to-sale ratio, DOM, months of inventory.
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Pricing strategy: how to price a listing or anchor an offer to live comps.
Browse every real-estate specialty
RealtorsLicensed residential agents and Realtors.BrokersReal-estate brokers and brokerage principals.Luxury AgentsSpecialists in high-end and luxury properties.Commercial AgentsOffice, retail, industrial, and investment property.Property ManagersResidential and commercial property management.Mortgage ProfessionalsLoan officers, mortgage brokers, and lenders.Real-Estate AttorneysClosings, title, contracts, and disputes.Home InspectorsPre-purchase and pre-listing inspections.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do average home prices come from?
- The most cited sources are NAR (existing-home median), Case-Shiller (repeat-sales index), Zillow ZHVI, and Redfin median sale price. Each measures differently — NAR captures closed transactions monthly, Case-Shiller tracks same-home appreciation, and ZHVI is a model-smoothed value index.
- Why do median and average prices differ so much?
- Median is the middle transaction; average is the arithmetic mean. In markets with luxury outliers (Miami, LA, NY), average price runs 20-40% above median. For comp analysis, use median or repeat-sales indices — averages get distorted by a few high-end sales.
- How current is 'average home price' data?
- NAR releases monthly with a 30-day lag. Case-Shiller has a 60-day lag. MLS pulls are real-time but limited to your local board. Your agent should be working from active, pending, and sold-last-90-days comps — not headline national figures.
- What price metrics matter when buying?
- Price-per-square-foot in your exact submarket, list-to-sale ratio, days on market, and absorption rate (months of inventory). These tell you whether sellers have leverage. A skilled agent runs these for the ZIP, not just the metro.