U.S. Home Prices Rose 1.9 Percent Through July 2026
While nominal prices increased, homeowners have seen real home values fall for 14 straight months.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Residential
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The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Home Price Index climbed 1.9 percent in the 12 months ending in July 2026. This modest annual growth follows a 1.6 percent increase recorded in June 2026.
Why it matters
Although home prices are rising in nominal terms, the national inflation rate of 3.4 percent means that purchasing power in the housing market continues to tighten for families. This divergence marks 14 consecutive months of decline in real home values across the country.
National home prices rose 1.9 percent annually through July 2026, up from 1.6 percent in June. Regional markets varied widely, with Chicago leading at 6.9 percent growth while Seattle saw a 1.6 percent decline.
The players
S&P Cotality
A financial research firm that produces the Case-Shiller index to measure national residential real estate market trends.
The details
The index tracks price changes for single-family homes across the United States. While prices are rising in many regions, specific transaction delays are occurring at the Wayne County recording office, potentially complicating the movement of real estate in that area.
Timeline
June 2026: National home price index increased 1.6 percent.
July 2026: National home price index increased 1.9 percent.
The Home Front
This growth follows the long-standing trend of nominal price increases measured by the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. Despite these gains, the real value of residential property has now trended downward for over a year due to high inflation.
Homeowners should check their regional market performance, as growth in cities like Chicago or New York may differ significantly from national averages. If you are preparing for a sale in areas experiencing high administrative volume, consult a licensed real estate professional regarding potential transaction delays.
The takeaway
Inflation continues to outpace nominal home price growth, keeping real values in a downward trend for the 14th consecutive month. Homeowners should track their local annual appreciation rates rather than relying solely on national averages when assessing home equity.
Further reading
Learn more about local market shifts in our Residential section.
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