Home prices in the United States range from $173,639 in West Virginia to $832,071 in Hawaii, a 4.8x gap between the least and most expensive state, according to the Zillow Home Value Index for Q1 2026. The national median home sale price was $403,200 in Q1 2026, per the Census Bureau, while the NAR reports a median existing-home sale price of $417,700 for April 2026. These three figures differ because they measure different things. All three are explained in full below.
This page presents median home prices for all 50 states plus Washington DC, ranked from highest to lowest. It also covers the data source differences that explain why state-level figures vary between sources, historical context on how state rankings have shifted since 2020, and the relationship between state prices and household income. All data is sourced from Zillow Research, NAR, Redfin, and the US Census Bureau via FRED. Updated quarterly.
| Source | National Figure | Period | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAR Median Sale Price | $417,700 | April 2026 | Existing homes that sold; excludes new construction |
| Census Bureau Median | $403,200 | Q1 2026 | All homes sold including new construction |
| Redfin Median Sale Price | $436,523 | March 2026 | All residential transactions in Redfin’s MLS data |
| Zillow ZHVI | $365,452 | Q1 2026 | Estimated value of ALL homes, including those not sold |
Zillow’s ZHVI is the most comprehensive state-level source because it estimates values for all homes, not just those that sold. NAR and Redfin only track homes that actually transacted, which can skew toward certain price ranges depending on market conditions. For the all-50-state ranking below, Zillow ZHVI is used as the primary source because of its complete geographic coverage. For current transaction data in specific states, Redfin’s state-level market pages provide the most recent median sale prices.
Median Home Price by State: All 50 States Ranked
| # | State | Median Home Value (Zillow ZHVI) | 1-Year Change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $832,071 | +2.1% | Pacific |
| 2 | California | $809,227 | -1.8% | Pacific |
| N/A | District of Columbia | $764,716 | -1.9% | South Atlantic |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $685,886 | +5.2% | New England |
| 4 | Washington | $626,603 | +1.4% | Pacific |
| 5 | New Jersey | $588,776 | +6.1% | Mid-Atlantic |
| 6 | Colorado | $567,724 | -1.3% | Mountain |
| 7 | Utah | $546,553 | +0.8% | Mountain |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $528,377 | +4.9% | New England |
| 9 | Oregon | $515,474 | -0.4% | Pacific |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $506,723 | +4.1% | New England |
| 11 | New York | $487,737 | +3.8% | Mid-Atlantic |
| 12 | Nevada | $472,477 | +1.2% | Mountain |
| 13 | Montana | $467,372 | -0.9% | Mountain |
| 14 | Connecticut | $465,586 | +5.3% | New England |
| 15 | Idaho | $465,288 | -0.5% | Mountain |
| 16 | Maryland | $451,121 | +3.2% | South Atlantic |
| 17 | Arizona | $440,228 | +0.5% | Mountain |
| 18 | Virginia | $416,516 | +2.8% | South Atlantic |
| 19 | Maine | $413,961 | +3.6% | New England |
| 20 | Vermont | $406,730 | +2.9% | New England |
| 21 | Delaware | $406,448 | +3.1% | South Atlantic |
| 22 | Florida | $405,280 | -2.4% | South Atlantic |
| 23 | Alaska | $395,096 | +1.3% | Pacific |
| 24 | Wyoming | $367,126 | -0.7% | Mountain |
| 25 | Minnesota | $358,473 | +2.1% | West North Central |
| 26 | North Carolina | $339,287 | +1.8% | South Atlantic |
| 27 | Georgia | $338,734 | +1.2% | South Atlantic |
| 28 | Tennessee | $335,560 | +1.4% | East South Central |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $334,636 | +3.3% | East North Central |
| 30 | South Dakota | $321,393 | +2.6% | West North Central |
| 31 | New Mexico | $316,778 | +1.9% | Mountain |
| 32 | Texas | $308,212 | -0.8% | West South Central |
| 33 | South Carolina | $306,512 | +1.5% | South Atlantic |
| 34 | Illinois | $292,156 | +4.6% | East North Central |
| 35 | North Dakota | $289,622 | +2.3% | West North Central |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $286,397 | +3.9% | Mid-Atlantic |
| 37 | Nebraska | $277,389 | +2.7% | West North Central |
| 38 | Missouri | $264,646 | +3.1% | West North Central |
| 39 | Michigan | $259,702 | +3.6% | East North Central |
| 40 | Indiana | $254,931 | +3.8% | East North Central |
| 41 | Ohio | $246,244 | +4.2% | East North Central |
| 42 | Kansas | $242,859 | +2.9% | West North Central |
| 43 | Iowa | $237,357 | +2.4% | West North Central |
| 44 | Alabama | $231,946 | +2.1% | East South Central |
| 45 | Kentucky | $225,191 | +3.2% | East South Central |
| 46 | Arkansas | $206,300 | +2.8% | West South Central |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $200,450 | +1.4% | West South Central |
| 48 | Louisiana | $198,200 | -0.6% | West South Central |
| 49 | Mississippi | $176,000 | +1.9% | East South Central |
| 50 | West Virginia | $173,639 | +3.1% | South Atlantic |
Hawaii leads at $832,071, nearly five times West Virginia’s $173,639. The top 10 most expensive states are all coastal or Mountain West: Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey, Colorado, Utah, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Rhode Island. Every state in the top 10 has a median above $500,000. Eight of the 10 least expensive states are in the Midwest or South: West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, and Iowa.
The 1-year change column reveals the geographic split documented throughout C1: nine states show negative appreciation (California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Wyoming, and DC), all concentrated in the Mountain West, Pacific, and Sun Belt regions. The 41 remaining states show positive 1-year appreciation, with the strongest gains in New Jersey (+6.1%), Connecticut (+5.3%), New Hampshire (+4.9%), Illinois (+4.6%), and Massachusetts (+5.2%), all in the Northeast and Midwest.
For detailed appreciation data on each state, see Home Appreciation Rates by State. For states with the lowest prices, see Cheapest States to Buy a House.
Price-to-Income Ratio by State
| State | Median Home Value | Median HH Income (est.) | Price-to-Income Ratio | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $832,071 | ~$90,000 | 9.2x | Severely unaffordable |
| California | $809,227 | ~$84,000 | 9.6x | Severely unaffordable |
| Massachusetts | $685,886 | ~$95,000 | 7.2x | Severely unaffordable |
| Washington | $626,603 | ~$89,000 | 7.0x | Severely unaffordable |
| Colorado | $567,724 | ~$90,000 | 6.3x | Unaffordable |
| New Jersey | $588,776 | ~$98,000 | 6.0x | Unaffordable |
| Florida | $405,280 | ~$67,000 | 6.0x | Unaffordable |
| New York | $487,737 | ~$76,000 | 6.4x | Unaffordable |
| Illinois | $292,156 | ~$75,000 | 3.9x | Accessible |
| Pennsylvania | $286,397 | ~$72,000 | 4.0x | Accessible |
| Michigan | $259,702 | ~$67,000 | 3.9x | Accessible |
| Ohio | $246,244 | ~$65,000 | 3.8x | Accessible |
| Indiana | $254,931 | ~$65,000 | 3.9x | Accessible |
| West Virginia | $173,639 | ~$55,000 | 3.2x | Affordable |
| Mississippi | $176,000 | ~$52,000 | 3.4x | Affordable (low incomes) |
California’s price-to-income ratio of 9.6x is the highest in the country, meaning the median home costs nearly 10 times the median household income. The historical norm for affordable markets is 3-4x. California has not been within that range since the mid-1990s and shows no structural pathway to return to it. The California Legislative Analyst’s Office noted in April 2026 that only 23% of California households qualify for a mid-tier home based on income, down from 31% in 2019.
Hawaii at 9.2x has a technically worse affordability ratio than California but a partial mitigating factor: Hawaii’s median household income is higher than the national average (~$90,000), reflecting the state’s higher-wage economy in tourism, military, and government sectors. Even so, a 9.2x ratio means that a household earning $90,000 would need to spend every dollar of gross income for over nine years to purchase the median home outright.
Ohio (3.8x), Indiana (3.9x), Illinois (3.9x), and Pennsylvania (4.0x) represent the closest states to the historical affordability norm. These states have the combination of moderate home prices and moderate incomes that defines accessible markets. The Midwest’s accessibility explains its outperformance in both sales activity and price appreciation in 2025-2026: buyers priced out of coastal markets are discovering that these states offer homeownership at multiples that made sense historically. For state income data, see Median Household Income by State.
How State Prices Have Changed Since 2020
| State | Median Price (2019) | Median Price (2022 Peak) | Median Price (Q1 2026) | Change 2019-2026 | Change Peak-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | ~$240,000 | ~$420,000 | $405,280 | +69% | -3.5% |
| Montana | ~$270,000 | ~$520,000 | $467,372 | +73% | -10.1% |
| Idaho | ~$280,000 | ~$500,000 | $465,288 | +66% | -6.9% |
| Arizona | ~$265,000 | ~$430,000 | $440,228 | +66% | +2.4% |
| Texas | ~$230,000 | ~$330,000 | $308,212 | +34% | -6.6% |
| Colorado | ~$395,000 | ~$590,000 | $567,724 | +44% | -3.8% |
| California | ~$570,000 | ~$840,000 | $809,227 | +42% | -3.7% |
| Illinois | ~$225,000 | ~$265,000 | $292,156 | +30% | +10.2% |
| Ohio | ~$160,000 | ~$220,000 | $246,244 | +54% | +11.9% |
| New Jersey | ~$350,000 | ~$475,000 | $588,776 | +68% | +23.9% |
The pandemic impact table shows the uneven legacy of 2020-2022. Sun Belt and Mountain West states that led the pandemic surge (Florida +69%, Montana +73%, Idaho +66%) are now partially correcting from those peaks, with prices 4-10% below their 2022 highs. These states attracted remote workers, retirees, and investment buyers in concentrated bursts that prices could not sustain against local income levels once migration slowed.
The most striking divergence is between New Jersey (+68% overall, +23.9% above its 2022 peak) and Montana (+73% overall, -10.1% below its 2022 peak). Both posted similar total gains from 2019 to peak, but New Jersey has continued appreciating post-peak while Montana has corrected. The difference is demand composition: New Jersey’s gains are driven by NYC spillover demand from high-income households with sustainable incomes, while Montana’s surge was driven by remote workers and second-home buyers whose financial ties to the state were weaker and more reversible.
Ohio and Illinois are the opposite story: modest total gains (54% and 30% respectively) below the national average, but continued appreciation above their pandemic-era peaks. These states never had a bubble to correct from, and their underlying demand is growing as affordability migrants discover Midwest pricing. For more context, see Home Appreciation Rates by State and US Housing Market Statistics.
Most Expensive States: Key Data Points
| State | Median Home Value | Income Required (20% down) | % Households Priced Out | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $832,071 | ~$200,000+ | ~75%+ | Island geography, tourism economy, limited land |
| California | $809,227 | ~$195,000+ | ~77% | Tech sector, restrictive zoning, chronic undersupply |
| Massachusetts | $685,886 | ~$165,000 | ~65% | Education/biotech economy, Boston Metro demand |
| Washington | $626,603 | ~$152,000 | ~60% | Seattle tech sector (Amazon, Microsoft), constrained supply |
| New Jersey | $588,776 | ~$143,000 | ~55% | NYC commuter demand, limited developable land |
| Colorado | $567,724 | ~$138,000 | ~58% | Denver tech growth, outdoor lifestyle premium |
California’s structural unaffordability is rooted in supply restriction rather than demand alone. The state’s strict zoning laws, environmental review requirements, and high construction costs create a chronic production deficit. California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office has repeatedly documented that the state needs to build approximately 180,000 housing units annually to keep pace with household formation but has consistently built fewer than 120,000. The gap compounds each year, and no near-term legislative solution has materially closed it.
Hawaii’s situation is the most extreme in the country. Island geography physically limits buildable land, and the state’s economy creates strong demand from both residents and mainland buyers seeking vacation or retirement properties. The combination of inelastic supply and persistent demand from buyers with mainland wealth creates a structurally high price floor. NAHB’s Q1 2026 Cost of Housing Index identified Hawaii as one of the seven markets nationally where the typical family must spend more than 50% of income on the median home payment. For affordability context across all states, see Home Affordability in America.
Most Affordable States: Key Data Points
| State | Median Home Value | Income Required | Median HH Income | Price-to-Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $173,639 | ~$64,179 | ~$55,000 | 3.2x |
| Mississippi | $176,000 | ~$43,000 | ~$52,000 | 3.4x |
| Louisiana | $198,200 | ~$48,000 | ~$57,000 | 3.5x |
| Oklahoma | $200,450 | ~$49,000 | ~$59,000 | 3.4x |
| Arkansas | $206,300 | ~$50,000 | ~$56,000 | 3.7x |
| Kentucky | $225,191 | ~$55,000 | ~$60,000 | 3.8x |
| Alabama | $231,946 | ~$56,000 | ~$59,000 | 3.9x |
| Iowa | $237,357 | ~$58,000 | ~$68,000 | 3.5x |
| Ohio | $246,244 | ~$60,000 | ~$65,000 | 3.8x |
| Indiana | $254,931 | ~$62,000 | ~$65,000 | 3.9x |
The most affordable states by price-to-income ratio are concentrated in the Deep South and Midwest. West Virginia at 3.2x, Mississippi at 3.4x, and Oklahoma at 3.4x are the only states in the country where home prices are within historical affordability norms relative to local incomes. Iowa is notable among the affordable states: at a 3.5x ratio with a median household income of approximately $68,000 (substantially above the other low-priced states), Iowa offers the most accessible combination of moderate price and higher income in the country.
The lowest-priced states carry important caveats that prevent a simple recommendation. West Virginia has the lowest state median income in the US and a poverty rate above 17%. Mississippi combines low prices with the lowest median household income nationally. Many of the most affordable metros within these states, such as Huntington, WV and Jackson, MS, have economic challenges including population decline, limited job growth, and aging infrastructure that affect long-term property value trajectory. Low price alone is not sufficient reason to buy; income environment and local economic outlook must be considered alongside price data. For full affordability analysis by state, see Cheapest States to Buy a House and Home Affordability in America.
