Special Report
The County With the Most Expensive Housing Market in Every State
Published:
Last Updated:
Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream — but for many, realizing that dream is prohibitively expensive.
Today, the typical American home has a price tag of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, according to industry advocacy group the National Realtors Association. Not every budget can accommodate housing expenses that high, and in nearly every state there is at least one county where the housing market is even more expensive.
To identify the county with the most expensive housing market in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed home value data from NAR as of the third quarter of 2018 for 3,119 counties and county equivalents nationwide. Counties in each state were ranked based on median home value. In 33 states, there is at least one county where over 50% of occupied homes cost more than $300,000. Arkansas and Oklahoma are the only states where no county has a median home value above $200,000.
Home values are typically a reflection of what the residents can afford, and as a result, the counties on this list tend to be high-income areas. Some even rank as the richest county in their state. Coconino County, Arizona, and Orleans Parish, Louisiana, are the only counties or county equivalents on this list with a lower median annual household income than the national median of $57,652.
The years in which many of the houses were built in the counties on this list may partially explain the higher housing costs. According to recent Census data, the median value of a brand new home is $335,400 — 39.5% more than the value of the typical existing home. In 34 of the 50 counties on this list, the share of homes built in the 21st century exceeds the comparable statewide share. In three counties on this list — Dallas County, Iowa; Forsyth County, Georgia; and Lincoln County, South Dakota — over half of all homes were built after Jan. 1, 2000. For reference, only 17.7% of all homes nationwide were built in the last 19 years.
Click here to see the county with the most expensive housing market in each state.
To determine the county with the most expensive housing market in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median home prices of owner-occupied homes in the 3,119 county and county-equivalents as aggregated by the National Association of Realtors for the third quarter of 2018. We also considered median household incomes, median monthly housing costs for mortgage holders, the share of occupied homes worth over $1.0 million, and year of construction — all five-year estimates from the from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey.
Alabama: Shelby County
> Median home value: $221,847
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,413
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.9%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 33.9%
> Median household income: $74,063
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
Alaska: Sitka City and Borough
> Median home value: $364,381
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,096
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 11.9%
> Median household income: $70,765
See all stories featuring: Alaska
24/7 Wall St.
Arizona: Coconino County
> Median home value: $297,468
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,490
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 24.0%
> Median household income: $53,523
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Arkansas: Benton County
> Median home value: $193,647
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,218
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 34.2%
> Median household income: $61,271
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
California: San Francisco County
> Median home value: $1,272,168
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $3,332
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 42.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 8.6%
> Median household income: $96,265
See all stories featuring: California
Colorado: Pitkin County
> Median home value: $662,964
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,947
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 32.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 24.8%
> Median household income: $67,755
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
Connecticut: Fairfield County
> Median home value: $435,477
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,726
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 14.6%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 9.4%
> Median household income: $89,773
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Delaware: New Castle County
> Median home value: $276,686
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,611
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.9%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 13.6%
> Median household income: $68,336
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Florida: Monroe County
> Median home value: $556,173
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,373
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 11.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 13.1%
> Median household income: $63,030
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
Georgia: Forsyth County
> Median home value: $391,587
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,813
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.1%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 51.4%
> Median household income: $96,445
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Hawaii: Honolulu County
> Median home value: $709,056
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,466
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 14%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 14.1%
> Median household income: $80,078
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
Idaho: Blaine County
> Median home value: $429,565
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,676
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 17.7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 19.4%
> Median household income: $58,835
See all stories featuring: Idaho
24/7 Wall St.
Illinois: DuPage County
> Median home value: $324,941
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,051
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.9%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 10.0%
> Median household income: $84,442
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana: Hamilton County
> Median home value: $292,191
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,584
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.5%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 40.8%
> Median household income: $90,582
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
Iowa: Dallas County
> Median home value: $258,355
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,558
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.5%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 50.5%
> Median household income: $82,719
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Kansas: Johnson County
> Median home value: $280,489
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,703
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.5%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 21.7%
> Median household income: $81,121
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
Kentucky: Oldham County
> Median home value: $308,928
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,659
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 29.8%
> Median household income: $92,237
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
24/7 Wall St.
Louisiana: Orleans Parish
> Median home value: $237,027
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,653
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 3%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 10.4%
> Median household income: $38,721
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Maine: Cumberland County
> Median home value: $294,008
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,697
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.6%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 14.6%
> Median household income: $65,702
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
Maryland: Montgomery County
> Median home value: $507,032
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,460
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 9.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 14.2%
> Median household income: $103,178
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Massachusetts: Nantucket County
> Median home value: $1,046,929
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,783
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 49.7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 18.6%
> Median household income: $91,942
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
Michigan: Washtenaw County
> Median home value: $285,608
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,705
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 15.7%
> Median household income: $65,618
See all stories featuring: Michigan
24/7 Wall St.
Minnesota: Carver County
> Median home value: $344,435
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,931
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 33.7%
> Median household income: $93,095
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi: Madison County
> Median home value: $235,722
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,494
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 33.5%
> Median household income: $68,600
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
Missouri: Platte County
> Median home value: $240,702
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,583
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 25.4%
> Median household income: $74,199
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Montana: Gallatin County
> Median home value: $377,592
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,646
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 4.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 35.1%
> Median household income: $59,397
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
Nebraska: Sarpy County
> Median home value: $212,509
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,538
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 33.3%
> Median household income: $75,752
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Nevada: Washoe County
> Median home value: $379,957
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,533
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 25.7%
> Median household income: $58,595
See all stories featuring: Nevada
New Hampshire: Rockingham County
> Median home value: $352,626
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,131
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.6%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 15.5%
> Median household income: $85,619
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
New Jersey: Bergen County
> Median home value: $498,038
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,956
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 7.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 7.8%
> Median household income: $91,572
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico: Santa Fe County
> Median home value: $318,544
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,535
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 4.6%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 22.5%
> Median household income: $57,945
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
New York: New York County
> Median home value: $1,033,669
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $3,112
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 45.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 8.9%
> Median household income: $79,781
See all stories featuring: New York
North Carolina: Orange County
> Median home value: $308,107
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,781
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.3%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 21.2%
> Median household income: $65,522
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
North Dakota: Burleigh County
> Median home value: $269,916
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,493
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 28.5%
> Median household income: $67,308
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
Ohio: Delaware County
> Median home value: $329,070
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,990
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 40.5%
> Median household income: $100,229
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma: Canadian County
> Median home value: $174,308
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,370
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 34.4%
> Median household income: $69,220
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
Oregon: Clackamas County
> Median home value: $436,075
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,857
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 3.3%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 18.2%
> Median household income: $72,408
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Pennsylvania: Chester County
> Median home value: $384,436
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,216
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.9%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 18.6%
> Median household income: $92,417
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Rhode Island: Newport County
> Median home value: $422,705
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,120
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 7%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 10.1%
> Median household income: $75,463
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
South Carolina: Charleston County
> Median home value: $353,561
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,646
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 5.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 25.2%
> Median household income: $57,882
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
South Dakota: Lincoln County
> Median home value: $226,497
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,492
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 54.3%
> Median household income: $81,849
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
Tennessee: Williamson County
> Median home value: $501,967
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,045
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 4.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 39.6%
> Median household income: $103,543
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
24/7 Wall St.
Texas: Collin County
> Median home value: $354,363
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,979
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.2%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 40.6%
> Median household income: $90,124
See all stories featuring: Texas
Utah: Summit County
> Median home value: $628,648
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,199
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 19.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 28.0%
> Median household income: $94,952
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
Vermont: Chittenden County
> Median home value: $309,038
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,801
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 1.3%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 16.8%
> Median household income: $66,906
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Virginia: Falls Church City
> Median home value: $787,396
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $3,025
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 18.9%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 19.6%
> Median household income: $114,795
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
Washington: King County
> Median home value: $636,990
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,271
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 8.4%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 18.9%
> Median household income: $83,571
See all stories featuring: Washington
24/7 Wall St.
West Virginia: Jefferson County
> Median home value: $241,206
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,571
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 0.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 29.0%
> Median household income: $72,526
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Wisconsin: Ozaukee County
> Median home value: $311,909
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,762
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 2.3%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 14.9%
> Median household income: $80,526
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
Wyoming: Teton County
> Median home value: $772,365
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $2,207
> Homes valued at $1 mil.+ (2017): 31.8%
> Housing units built in 2000 or later: 23.0%
> Median household income: $80,049
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
