The Benefits of Transit to Real Estate Values

A new study, jointly produced by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), finds evidence of dramatic increases in the value of real estate located proximate to public transit.

1 minute read

October 16, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Image of transit oriented development around Union Station in Denver.

Infinite_Eye / Shutterstock

"Property values of residential and commercial buildings increase dramatically when located close to transit, according to a joint study from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR)," according to an article by Chris Teale.

Analyzing data from seven metropolitan regions (Boston; Eugene, OR; Hartford, CT; Los Angeles; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Phoenix; and Seattle),

"[t]he associations found that residential properties within a half-mile of public transit options (heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit) had a 4%-24% higher median sale price between 2012 and 2016." Similarly located commercial properties also gained value during the same time period.

Another key finding of the study pertained to the savings of residents who live near transit.

Now the question is how effective cities will be leveraging that knowledge to mitigate ongoing crises of climate change and housing affordability.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 in Smart Cities Dive

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Brutalist grey department of housing and urban development building in Washington DC.

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response

Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

40 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Lancaster Boulevard with tree-lined median and wide sidewalks in Lancaster, California.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way

One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.

59 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

3 hours ago - WESH

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA