In 233 U.S. cities, even a starter home costs $1 million
Zillow's latest analysis reveals a significant surge in cities with million-dollar starter homes, increasing from 85 cities five years ago to 233 today. The typical starter home nationwide remains at an attainable $192,514, but in these 233 cities, even entry-level homes cost $1 million or more.
California dominates with 113 such cities, followed by New York (32) and New Jersey (20). The phenomenon has spread to 25 states, with Minnesota and Rhode Island being recent additions. The New York City metro area leads with 48 cities having million-dollar starter homes, followed by San Francisco (43) and Los Angeles (34).
This trend reflects the pandemic housing boom's impact on affordability, causing many young households to postpone homeownership, with the median renter age now at 42 years.
L'ultima analisi di Zillow evidenzia un notevole aumento delle città con case iniziali dal valore di un milione di dollari, passate da 85 cinque anni fa a 233 oggi. La casa iniziale tipica a livello nazionale rimane accessibile a 192.514 dollari, ma in queste 233 città anche le abitazioni entry-level superano il milione di dollari.
La California domina con 113 città di questo tipo, seguita da New York (32) e New Jersey (20). Il fenomeno si è esteso a 25 stati, con Minnesota e Rhode Island come nuove aggiunte. L'
Questa tendenza riflette l'impatto del boom immobiliare causato dalla pandemia sull'accessibilità economica, spingendo molte giovani famiglie a rimandare l'acquisto della prima casa, con un'età media dei locatari ora a 42 anni.
El último análisis de Zillow revela un aumento significativo en las ciudades con casas iniciales de un millón de dólares, que pasaron de 85 hace cinco años a 233 en la actualidad. La casa inicial típica a nivel nacional sigue siendo accesible con un precio de 192,514 dólares, pero en estas 233 ciudades, incluso las viviendas de entrada cuestan un millón de dólares o más.
California lidera con 113 ciudades de este tipo, seguida por New York (32) y New Jersey (20). El fenómeno se ha extendido a 25 estados, con Minnesota y Rhode Island como incorporaciones recientes. El área metropolitana de Nueva York encabeza la lista con 48 ciudades con casas iniciales de un millón de dólares, seguida por San Francisco (43) y Los Ángeles (34).
Esta tendencia refleja el impacto del auge inmobiliario durante la pandemia en la asequibilidad, lo que ha provocado que muchos hogares jóvenes pospongan la compra de vivienda, con una edad media de los inquilinos ahora en 42 años.
Zillow의 최신 분석에 따르면, 백만 달러 이상의 시작 주택이 있는 도시가 5년 전 85개에서 현재 233개로 크게 증가했습니다. 전국적으로 일반적인 시작 주택 가격은 여전히 192,514달러로 접근 가능하지만, 이 233개 도시에서는 입문용 주택조차도 100만 달러 이상입니다.
캘리포니아가 113개 도시로 가장 많고, 그 다음은 뉴욕(32개), 뉴저지(20개)입니다. 이 현상은 25개 주로 확산되었으며, 미네소타와 로드아일랜드가 최근 추가되었습니다. 뉴욕시 대도시권이 백만 달러 시작 주택이 있는 도시 48개로 선두를 달리고 있으며, 그 뒤를 샌프란시스코(43개)와 로스앤젤레스(34개)가 잇고 있습니다.
이 추세는 팬데믹 기간 주택 붐이 주택 구매력에 미친 영향을 반영하며, 많은 젊은 가구가 주택 구입을 미루게 되었고, 현재 임차인의 중간 연령은 42세입니다.
La dernière analyse de Zillow révèle une forte augmentation des villes disposant de maisons d'entrée de gamme à un million de dollars, passant de 85 villes il y a cinq ans à 233 aujourd'hui. La maison d'entrée de gamme typique à l'échelle nationale reste accessible à 192 514 dollars, mais dans ces 233 villes, même les logements d'entrée coûtent un million de dollars ou plus.
La Californie domine avec 113 villes de ce type, suivie par New York (32) et New Jersey (20). Le phénomène s'est étendu à 25 États, avec le Minnesota et Rhode Island comme ajouts récents. La région métropolitaine de New York est en tête avec 48 villes disposant de maisons d'entrée à un million de dollars, suivie de San Francisco (43) et Los Angeles (34).
Cette tendance reflète l'impact du boom immobilier lié à la pandémie sur l'accessibilité, poussant de nombreux jeunes ménages à retarder l'achat de leur première maison, l'âge médian des locataires étant désormais de 42 ans.
Zillows neueste Analyse zeigt einen deutlichen Anstieg von Städten mit Starterhäusern im Wert von einer Million Dollar, von 85 Städten vor fünf Jahren auf heute 233. Das typische Starterhaus liegt landesweit weiterhin bei erschwinglichen 192.514 Dollar, aber in diesen 233 Städten kosten selbst Einstiegsimmobilien eine Million Dollar oder mehr.
Kalifornien führt mit 113 solchen Städten, gefolgt von New York (32) und New Jersey (20). Das Phänomen hat sich auf 25 Bundesstaaten ausgedehnt, wobei Minnesota und Rhode Island kürzlich hinzugekommen sind. Die Metropolregion New York City führt mit 48 Städten mit Million-Dollar-Starterhäusern, gefolgt von San Francisco (43) und Los Angeles (34).
Dieser Trend spiegelt die Auswirkungen des Immobilienbooms während der Pandemie auf die Erschwinglichkeit wider und führt dazu, dass viele junge Haushalte den Hauskauf aufschieben; das mittlere Alter der Mieter liegt jetzt bei 42 Jahren.
- Sellers are making a stronger return to the market
- Buyers are gaining more negotiating power with longer listing times
- Price cuts are occurring at record rates
- Zillow's market presence expanding with comprehensive rental listings
- Housing affordability crisis intensifying with 233 cities having $1M+ starter homes
- Significant barrier to entry for first-time homebuyers
- Young households forced to postpone homeownership
- Median renter age increased to 42 years, indicating delayed homeownership
Insights
Rapid growth in million-dollar starter homes highlights Zillow's role in high-end markets but softening prices and increased listings suggest cautious near-term optimism.
The surge in U.S. cities with starter homes priced at $1 million or more—from 85 in 2020 to 233 in 2025—illustrates how home affordability has shifted dramatically, reflecting lingering impacts from the pandemic housing boom. Zillow's analysis positions the company as a leading source for real estate data insights, enhancing its brand as an authoritative player in both high-value and mainstream housing markets. The expansion of million-dollar starter homes into half of all states points to sustained demand and regional price pressures, but the slight decline since the year's start (from 239 to 233 cities) and increased seller activity indicate a softening in the most overheated markets. This changing dynamic could lead to more balanced transaction volumes for Zillow, attracting both buyers and sellers. The article also highlights Zillow's product innovations—such as the BuyAbility tool and expanded rental listings—which are positioned to capitalize on shifting consumer behavior, whether users choose to buy or rent. While these developments reinforce Zillow's strategic relevance in a volatile market, the lack of explicit financial data (revenue, profit, user growth) makes the direct impact on corporate performance uncertain. The news is moderately relevant to business prospects but does not present a clear catalyst. Overall, the wider reach of Zillow's tools amid affordability challenges underscores its differentiated consumer value proposition while near-term market softening tempers any outsized positive impact.
Half of all states have at least one city where entry-level homes top
- The number of cities where a typical starter home is worth
$1 million - More than half of these cities with
$1 million California . - Nationwide, the typical starter home is worth less than
$200,000
A typical "starter home" — defined for this analysis as being among those in the lowest third of home values in a given region — is worth at least
"First-time buyers are facing a market where prices that once seemed unimaginable have become reality," said Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow. "The encouraging news for buyers is that starter homes remain well below
Cities with
The
The
Whether a buyer is navigating a million-dollar market or something closer to average, Zillow offers data and tools to help buyers make their move with confidence. Zillow Home Loans' BuyAbility℠ tool gives buyers a personalized, real-time estimate of the home price and monthly payment that fit within their budget, and it now quickly and clearly shows home shoppers listings within their BuyAbility. Home listings on Zillow also include a down payment assistance module to help shoppers see what local resources could be available to them.
For those looking to rent for now, Zillow Rentals has more properties than any other rental network1 — including single-family homes, apartments and even individual room listings.
State | Cities with Million-Dollar | Cities with Million- | Cities with Million-Dollar |
233 | 209 | 85 | |
113 | 100 | 54 | |
32 | 29 | 13 | |
20 | 17 | 2 | |
11 | 10 | 4 | |
11 | 10 | 0 | |
8 | 8 | 7 | |
7 | 7 | 0 | |
4 | 4 | 0 | |
4 | 4 | 1 | |
4 | 2 | 1 | |
3 | 3 | 1 | |
2 | 2 | 1 | |
2 | 3 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 1 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 1 | 0 | |
1 | 0 | 0 | |
1 | 0 | 0 |
About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate app and website in
Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Zillow Rentals®, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce®, and Follow Up Boss®.
All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2025 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.
1 Zillow internal data on total rental properties compared to Apartments.com data published on its website and investor materials, October 2024.
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SOURCE Zillow
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