Boston, MA Housing Market Report

The Boston-Cambridge-Newton housing market is currently navigating a period of stabilization characterized by a significant increase in inventory and a cooling of the rapid price appreciation seen in previous years. As of December 2025, the median home value stands at $760,717, reflecting a marginal year-over-year decline of 0.02%. While the market remains competitive with a sale-to-list ratio of 1, the balance of power is shifting slightly toward buyers. Active inventory has surged by 17.35% compared to last year, providing house hunters with 6,758 available listings and more leverage during negotiations than they have enjoyed in the recent past.

Price trends over the last six months indicate a resilient but flat trajectory. After a brief dip in late summer where values fell to approximately $758,227 in September, the market has seen a modest recovery through the fourth quarter. This plateau suggests that high borrowing costs and elevated price points have met the ceiling of local affordability. Conversely, the rental market continues to show strength with a median rent of $3,589, up 1.64% year-over-year, which may keep some prospective buyers in the sales market as they seek to escape rising lease costs.

Looking ahead, the increase in days on market—now averaging 53 days—suggests that sellers can no longer expect immediate offers. For buyers, this environment offers a rare window of opportunity to conduct thorough inspections and potentially negotiate terms without the frantic pressure of years past. Sellers, however, must be strategic with their pricing; with inventory rising and homes sitting nearly 10 days longer than last year, overpricing can lead to stagnation. The Boston metro area remains a fundamentally strong market driven by its robust education and healthcare sectors, but the current data points toward a more deliberate and balanced pace of trade for the 2026 season.