10/15/2026
US Home Prices: What the Median Misses
When we talk about US home prices, the headlines usually focus on the median—but if you look closer, there’s much more to the story. In Q2 2026, the median price for new single-family homes was $410,700, while existing homes came in higher at $435,700—a $25,000 difference, which is the largest gap we’ve seen nationwide. This trend actually flipped back in Q2 2024, when existing-home prices began to outpace new builds.
From what I’ve seen here in Biloxi, these numbers don’t always line up with every market. Factors like lot sizes, home types, and especially construction costs play a big role in shaping what buyers and sellers experience. Builders have been adapting by offering smaller lots, more compact homes, and creative incentives, while many homeowners with those hard-to-beat pandemic mortgage rates are choosing to stay put, keeping inventory low.
By Q2 2026, new-home prices had dipped about 1% year-over-year, and existing-home price growth slowed to around 2% after three solid years of steady increases. Behind every median is a unique local story—something I see every day helping folks find their place in our Gulf Coast community.