2020 U.S. Housing Market Gains Were Biggest in 15 Years

Rhea-AI Summary

In 2020, U.S. housing gained nearly $2.5 trillion in value, the highest annual increase since 2005. The total value of U.S. housing reached $36.2 trillion. Factors such as strong demand, low mortgage rates, and a shift to remote work fueled this growth, with Zillow anticipating a potentially stronger year in 2021. California alone accounts for 21.4% of the nation's housing value, worth $7.8 trillion. While most states saw value increases, Alaska recorded a 1.8% decline, attributed to low new construction and falling prices.

Positive

• 2020 U.S. housing value increased by $2.5 trillion.
• Total U.S. housing value reached $36.2 trillion.
• High demand driven by millennials entering the housing market.
• Record builder confidence leading to increased home construction.
• California's housing market represents 21.4% of total U.S. housing value.

Negative

• Alaska's housing stock lost 1.8% of its value, approximately $1.5 billion.

SEATTLE, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. housing gained nearly $2.5 trillion in value in 2020 -- the most in a single year since 2005, according to a new Zillow® analysis. The full stock of U.S. housing is now worth $36.2 trillion. 

2020 was a remarkable year for the housing market. Strong demand drove intense competition among buyers, causing homes to fly off the market at the fastest pace Zillow has recorded and pushing prices higher. Housing demand was already strong coming into the year with the large Millennial generation aging into prime first-time home-buying age and mortgage rates hovering near record lows. The widespread shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to reevaluate their housing options and supercharged demand. 

Zillow expects 2021 to be even stronger, possibly exceeding last year's $2.5 trillion gain. With mortgage rates also likely to rise from today's near-record low levels, buyers considering a move may want to do so soon before their potential monthly payments rise. 

"2020 was a record-breaking year for the housing market with intense competition among buyers driving up home prices," said Zillow economist Treh Manhertz. "While many faced financial hardships because of the pandemic, others fortunate enough to maintain stable income took a step back to contemplate what they wanted their home to be and hopped on Zillow to help find a place that filled their wish list. Builder confidence, perhaps in reaction to the boosted demand, hit record highs and more homes are being built as a result. Add that together and you see why the housing market gained more than in any year since the Great Recession."

More than a fifth (21.4%) of the nation's housing value resides in California. Homes in California are worth a cumulative $7.8 trillion, more than the next three states combined, and the state boasts four of the 10 metro areas with the highest total housing value -- Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego. 

North Dakota ($64 billion), Wyoming ($70 billion) and South Dakota ($72 billion), three of the least-populous states, have the smallest shares of the U.S. housing market. Alaska was the only state where the housing stock lost value in 2020, down 1.8% or about $1.5 billion. That was caused by relatively low levels of new construction and declining values among homes in Alaska's top tier. 

Over the past decade, the total value of the housing stock has more than doubled in six states. Idaho leads the way, gaining 149% since 2011. Most of that growth comes from the Boise metro, where the total housing stock has more than tripled in value during that time, most of any of the 100 largest U.S. metros. Nevada (146.3%), Utah (126.2%), Arizona (116.5%), Colorado (111.6%) and Washington (108%) also saw their total housing market value double over the past decade. 

At a local level, the New York metro area continues to hold the most housing value, though its lead is shrinking. New York metro homes are worth $3.1 trillion in total, with Los Angeles ($2.8 trillion) and San Francisco ($1.7 trillion) homes also exceeding $1 trillion. Seven metros gained more value than New York in 2020, reducing the gap at the top of the list. The value of Los Angeles' housing stock grew the most last year, up $262 billion -- that's more than the total value of homes in Las Vegas, Orlando and Nashville, to name a few. 

Total Housing Market Value by Metro
Metro Area*	Total Housing Market Value (Billions)	Total Housing Market Value Growth: 2020 (Billions)	Total Housing Market Value Growth: 2011-2020 (Billions)
New York, NY	$3,132	$57	$639
Los Angeles, CA	$2,813	$262	$1,358
Chicago, IL	$849	$44	$195
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX	$625	$38	$333
Philadelphia, PA	$622	$49	$143
Houston, TX	$533	$42	$272
Washington, DC	$978	$75	$334
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL	$698	$35	$327
Atlanta, GA	$570	$50	$287
Boston, MA	$955	$79	$398
San Francisco, CA	$1,712	$90	$913
Detroit, MI	$354	$32	$189
Riverside, CA	$551	$45	$285
Phoenix, AZ	$563	$67	$328
Seattle, WA	$791	$73	$433
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN	$399	$29	$167
San Diego, CA	$713	$90	$360
St. Louis, MO	$230	$16	$63
Tampa, FL	$310	$34	$164
Baltimore, MD	$313	$20	$56
Denver, CO	$497	$48	$283
Pittsburgh, PA	$184	$8	$60
Portland, OR	$382	$34	$194
Charlotte, NC	$263	$28	$158
Sacramento, CA	$377	$38	$202
San Antonio, TX	$167	$9	$74
Orlando, FL	$230	$15	$127
Cincinnati, OH	$187	$23	$74
Cleveland, OH	$149	$12	$43
Kansas City, MO	$189	$18	$79
Las Vegas, NV	$233	$18	$140
Columbus, OH	$186	$20	$90
Indianapolis, IN	$166	$18	$80
San Jose, CA	$747	$53	$418
Austin, TX	$264	$27	$152
Virginia Beach, VA	$181	$18	$48
Nashville, TN	$213	$12	$114
Providence, RI	$218	$18	$67
Milwaukee, WI	$134	$8	$42
Jacksonville, FL	$149	$15	$73
Memphis, TN	$92	$11	$39
Oklahoma City, OK	$88	$7	$33
Louisville, KY	$94	$4	$29
Hartford, CT	$112	$7	$15
Richmond, VA	$126	$8	$35
New Orleans, LA	$127	$5	$40
Buffalo, NY	$97	$9	$37
Raleigh, NC	$149	$14	$71
Birmingham, AL	$76	$5	$23
Salt Lake City, UT	$164	$19	$85

*Table ordered by market size

About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make it easier to unlock life's next chapter. 

As the most-visited real estate website in the U.S., Zillow® and its affiliates offer customers an on-demand experience for selling, buying, renting or financing with transparency and nearly seamless end-to-end service. Zillow Offers® buys and sells homes directly in dozens of markets across the country, allowing sellers control over their timeline. Zillow Home Loans™, our affiliate lender, provides our customers with an easy option to get pre-approved and secure financing for their next home purchase. Zillow recently launched Zillow Homes, Inc., a licensed brokerage entity, to streamline Zillow Offers transactions.  

Zillow Group's affiliates and subsidiaries include Zillow®, Zillow Offers®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans™, Zillow Closing Services™, Zillow Homes, Inc., Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy® and HotPads®. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). 

 

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SOURCE Zillow

FAQ

What was the total value of U.S. housing in 2020?

The total value of U.S. housing in 2020 was $36.2 trillion.

How much did the U.S. housing market gain in 2020?

The U.S. housing market gained nearly $2.5 trillion in value in 2020.

Which state has the highest housing value?

California has the highest housing value at $7.8 trillion.

What percentage of U.S. housing value is in California?

California accounts for 21.4% of the U.S. housing value.

Did Alaska's housing market increase or decrease in value in 2020?

Alaska's housing market decreased by 1.8%, losing approximately $1.5 billion.