Where Housing Prices Climbed Most During the Pandemic

Homes in suburban and even rural locations were hot commodities on the pandemic real estate market, according to an industry report.

1 minute read

December 21, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New Jersey

SevenMaps / Shutterstock

Marian McPherson shares news of a new report by realtor.com that quantifies the tumultuous year on the real estate market, focusing especially on the locations where prices spiked the most during the pandemic.

"According to realtor.com’s latest market analysis released on Tuesday, the explosion in price growth is happening in suburbs across the country, including little-known metros such as Wayzata, Minnesota, and Brandon, Mississippi," writes McPherson to summarize the report's finding.

"Lakewood, New Jersey topped the list with median home prices increasing a whopping 47.6 percent to $309,000 from October 2019 to October 2020," adds McPherson. Next was Lake Arrowhead, California, were prices increased 45.7 percent. In Lake Arrowhead, the increased prices haven't stopped buys from taking the plunge. The area saw a 47.7 percent sales increase during the same time period.

The location with the third largest increase, according to realtor.com is Gross Pointe, Michigan.

McPherson notes that most of the locations with huge price spikes this year are still relatively cheap—the media price in the majority of locations on the list comes in under $500,000 after the increases.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 in Inman News

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

5 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.