The national median home price hit $460,000 in June 2026, up 2.2% from a year earlier, according to the REMAX National Housing Report. That single number hides enormous variation. In the most affordable metros, it ran nearly $200,000 above the typical local sale. In the most expensive, it covered about a third of one. Here is how the national median stacks up against local prices, using metro figures from the REMAX National Housing Report. June 2026 numbers appear where the report published them and May 2026 figures, the most recent complete metro data, cover the rest.
Key Takeaways
- The national median sales price was $460,000 in June 2026, up 2.4% from May and 2.2% from June 2025.
- In Cleveland and Wichita, the national figure ran about $200,000 above the May local median of $260,000.
- In San Francisco, $460,000 covered roughly a third of the $1.3 million May metro median.
- Metros including Raleigh, Las Vegas and Phoenix sit within about $10,000 of the national figure.
- Market conditions change what a budget really buys. Hartford homes closed at 105.6% of list in June while Miami homes closed at 94%.
Where $460,000 Goes Furthest
In the most affordable major metros, the national median ran far past the typical local sale. Cleveland, OH and Wichita, KS both posted $260,000 medians in May, roughly $200,000 below the national figure. Pittsburgh, PA came in at $290,000 in June, New Orleans, LA at $300,000 and Detroit, MI at $305,000. Across these five metros, the national median ran 50% to 75% above the local median sale price.
Where $460,000 Matches the Market
A band of metros sits almost exactly at the national number, which makes them useful reference points for what a median budget buys nationwide. Raleigh, NC posted a $450,000 median in June. In May, Las Vegas, NV came in at $449,400, Phoenix, AZ at $458,500, Charlotte, NC at $425,000 and Nashville, TN at $480,000. In these markets, the national median lined up almost exactly with the typical local sale.
Where $460,000 Falls Short
On the coasts, the national median covers only a fraction of the typical sale. San Francisco, CA led the report at $1,312,500 in May, which meant $460,000 amounted to roughly 35% of the local median. Los Angeles, CA followed at $1,025,000 and San Diego, CA at $910,000. Seattle, WA posted $742,750 and Honolulu, HI $736,850 in June, with Boston, MA at $730,000 in May. In these metros, the national median fell hundreds of thousands of dollars short of the typical sale, which is where local market expertise carries the most weight.
Why the Same Budget Behaves Differently
Sticker price is only half the equation. Market conditions shape what a dollar actually did in each metro. Hartford, CT illustrated one extreme: a $410,000 May median sat below the national figure, but homes there sold in 15 days at 105.6% of list price in June, meaning the typical home closed above its asking price in about two weeks. Miami, FL showed the opposite: a $525,000 May median topped the national number, yet homes closed at 94% of list in June with 6.2 months’ supply, the most in the report, meaning the typical home closed below its asking price. Two markets, similar distance from the national median, completely different conditions.
What This Means for Buyers
The national median is a benchmark, not a price tag. What matters is how a budget performs in a specific metro under that metro’s conditions: supply, speed and how close to list homes actually close. A local REMAX agent can translate a budget into real options on the ground, and the Home Buyer’s Guide covers the rest of the process. For the full monthly picture, read the latest U.S. Housing Market Recap.
National Median Home Price FAQ
What is the median home price in the U.S. in 2026?
The national median sales price was $460,000 in June 2026, up 2.4% from May and 2.2% from June 2025, according to the REMAX National Housing Report.
Where can buyers find homes well under the national median?
Cleveland, OH and Wichita, KS posted $260,000 medians in May 2026, with Pittsburgh, PA at $290,000 in June, New Orleans, LA at $300,000 and Detroit, MI at $305,000, all at least $150,000 below the national figure.
Which housing markets are the most expensive in 2026?
San Francisco, CA led the REMAX National Housing Report at $1,312,500 in May 2026, followed by Los Angeles, CA at $1,025,000 and San Diego, CA at $910,000. Seattle, WA and Honolulu, HI both topped $735,000 in June.
Does the median price mean half of homes cost less?
Yes. The median is the midpoint of all sale prices, so half of homes in a given market sold for less and half sold for more. It resists distortion from a few very expensive sales, which makes it a more stable benchmark than the average.
