Housing statistics and trends in the real estate market

NAR generates housing statistics at the national, regional, and metro-market level where data are available. All current information produced by NAR can be found at nar.realtor. For state, city and county level indicators, please contact state and local REALTOR® associations. For more information, use the links below to learn about the methodology of each indicator. You'll also find a list of resources on our Research and Data FAQ page. All historical reports and data can be found in the REALTOR® store.

Dates of publication of NAR

studies and statistics

View all NAR publishes monthly national and regional statistics on existing home prices and sales volume around the middle of each month. Each report includes 12 months of data and annual totals for the last three years. Reports are available for existing single-family homes, apartments, and cooperatives. Average and median prices are included. See, e.g. Existing home sales data.

This leading indicator for housing activity is published in the first week of each month. The index measures real estate contracting activity. It is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, apartments and cooperatives. See, e.g. Pending home sales index figures.

The Housing Affordability Index measures whether a family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a conventional home at the national and regional level based on the most recent monthly price and income data.

See, e.g. Housing Affordability Index data.

The distribution curve and REALTORS® Affordability Score measures housing affordability at different income percentiles for all active supply in the market. For each state, the REALTORS® Affordability Distribution Curve shows how many homes are affordable to households by income, and the REALTORS® Affordability Distribution Score is a measure that represents affordability at different income percentiles in a single measure. See, e.g. REALTORS®.

's distribution curve data and affordability estimates

NAR publishes statistics on metro-area housing affordability and average metro-area home prices each quarter. Two separate price reports reflect the sales prices of (1) existing single-family homes and (2) condos and co-ops by metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Quarterly Qualifying Income Report shows the income needed to purchase an average-priced existing single-family home in each metro area under various down payment assumptions. To find out the MSA's annual housing affordability index, see. Housing Affordability Index data.

To calculate median home values in 3,119 counties and county equivalents in the United States, NAR applied FHFA's home price index growth to the latest American Community Survey (ACS) housing data. The cost of housing represents the value of all homes instead of the sale of homes. Monthly mortgage payments by county are based on the following mortgage interest rates: 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.0%. See, e.g. Average county home prices and monthly mortgage payment.

This metric calculates how many new permits are issued for each new labor rate in 178 metro areas. See, e.g. housing shortage data.