Columbus, OH Housing Market Report

The Columbus housing market is currently transitioning into a more balanced environment, offering a reprieve for buyers who have faced years of intense competition. As of December 2025, the median home value stands at $239,418, reflecting a marginal year-over-year decline of 0.04%. This stabilization is largely driven by a significant 14.04% increase in active inventory, which now sits at 4,670 units. With more options available and homes spending an average of 47 days on the market—a full week longer than last year—the frenetic pace of the market has cooled, granting buyers more leverage during negotiations.

Price trends over the latter half of 2025 indicate a period of stagnation rather than a sharp correction. After peaking near $239,928 in July, values have slowly drifted downward, ending the year at $239,418. This plateau suggests that the market has reached an affordability ceiling for many local residents, even as the rental market continues to see moderate growth with a 2.21% annual increase. The sale-to-list ratio remains strong at 0.99, indicating that while buyers have more time to decide, sellers are still successfully closing deals very close to their asking prices.

Looking ahead, the Columbus metro area remains a resilient market supported by steady rental demand and a growing inventory base. For buyers, the current climate represents the best opportunity in recent years to enter the market without the pressure of immediate bidding wars. For sellers, the increase in days on market means that pricing strategy and home presentation are now critical; the days of automatic multiple offers within 48 hours have largely passed. Both parties should expect a more deliberate transaction process as the market finds its new equilibrium in early 2026.