How Do Downtown Homes Prices Compare?

After a decade of shifting market preferences and an ongoing urban renaissance, how do downtown home prices compare in cities around the country?

1 minute read

January 20, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle Multi-Family and Downtown

alabn / Shutterstock

Eliza Theiss shares analysis by real estate website Property Shark that examines the difference in home prices in downtown areas compared to the rest of the largest cities in the United States.

The analysis attempts to capture the market realities of downtowns after a period of revitalization and reinvestment in the urban cores of cities in the United States since the Great Recession.

"Analyzing a decades’ worth of home prices in 34 of the largest cities in the country plus Manhattan and Brooklyn, we compared their median sale prices to that of their downtowns, as well as the evolution of these indicators from 2008 to 2018 to see if it really is that much more expensive to live downtown," according to Theiss.

The findings of the analysis reveal different stories in different parts of the country. In Charlotte, Manhattan, and San Francisco, homes in downtown have been steadily growing more expensive relative to the rest of the city. In cities like Minneapolis and Denver, however, "the price difference between homes in the downtown and the rest of the city has been steadily decreasing."

There are more variations and more specific examples to discuss in the source article.

Monday, January 14, 2019 in Property Shark

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.