Denver Housing Market 2026
Live home prices, listing activity, affordability metrics, and neighborhood price tiers for the Denver metro area. Data updated daily from FRED and U.S. Census ACS.
Most recent data point: September 1, 2026
Source: FREDChecked
$570K
Median List Price
4,198
New Listings
58d
Days on Market
13,365
Active Listings
Market Snapshot
Latest observation per series from FRED and U.S. Census ACS.
$570K
Median List Price
Active listings
58d
Days on Market
Moderate
13,365
Active Listings
4,198 new this period
4,198
New Listings
Seller confidence signal
492.5
House Price Index
FHFA quarterly index
Denver's median list price stands at $569,900 as of Sep 2026. With 13,365 active listings, buyers have meaningfully more negotiating power. Homes are spending a median of 58 days on market. The FHFA House Price Index stands at 492.5, reflecting long-run appreciation relative to the 2000 baseline.
Historical Price Trends
Monthly FRED observations for the Denver-Aurora metro area (CBSA 19740).
Median List Price
The asking price at the middle of the Denver metro market. Rising list prices with rising days on market signal sellers pricing ahead of demand.
Active Listings vs. New Listings
Rising active listings with stable new listings signals slowing absorption. Watch for divergence as a leading indicator.
Affordability Deep Dive
Price-to-income ratio, payment calculator, and city comparisons.
Price-to-Income Ratio
List price ÷ (income × 5). Below 3 = affordable; above 5 = expensive.
Monthly Payment Estimator
30-year fixed. Does not include taxes, insurance, or HOA.
Median Home Price: Denver vs. Peer Cities
Denver: live median list price, FRED MEDLISPRI19740 (Realtor.com). Peer cities are static reference points for scale, not live figures.
Owner vs. Renter Breakdown
Denver housing tenure distribution — Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Median Home Value
$540,400
ACS 2022 5-Year
Median Gross Rent
$1,665
Per month, ACS 2022
Rent Burden
23%
of income spent on rent
Denver: A Majority-Renter City
With 50.6% of households renting, Denver has one of the highest renter shares of any major Mountain West city — a legacy of its rapid population boom in the 2010s and the relatively high barrier to homeownership. Median gross rent of $1,665/mo compares to a median home value of $540,400 — a price-to-rent ratio of 27x, suggesting buying may offer long-term equity advantages for those who can afford the down payment.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022), Denver County (FIPS 08031).
Denver Housing Market Timeline
Key inflection points shaping today's market conditions.
COVID crash & inventory shock
-8% active listings
The pandemic triggered a sudden inventory collapse as sellers pulled listings and buyers paused. By mid-2020, activity rebounded sharply as remote work made Denver even more attractive.
Pandemic boom: record price growth
+42% YoY appreciation
Historically low mortgage rates (below 3%), remote work migration, and demand from coastal buyers drove Denver's fastest-ever price appreciation. Bidding wars became the norm.
Fed rate hikes — affordability shock
DOM nearly doubled
The Federal Reserve raised rates 425 bps in 2022. Mortgage rates surged to 7%+. Days on market almost doubled from 16 to 30+ days as buyer purchasing power collapsed.
Market stabilization at elevated prices
Prices held near peak
Despite rate pressure, Denver prices stabilized rather than crashed — limited inventory kept values elevated. The market transitioned from seller-extreme to balanced conditions.
Balanced market returns
~32 median DOM
Inventory crept higher as rate-locked sellers finally listed. Buyers gained negotiating room. The market reached the most balanced conditions since pre-pandemic — healthier but still expensive.
Current: inventory recovery underway
6,200+ active listings
Active listings are at their highest since 2019 as seller confidence returns. Prices remain near record highs but buyer leverage is improving. Rate cuts expected to further stimulate demand.
COVID crash & inventory shock
-8% active listings
The pandemic triggered a sudden inventory collapse as sellers pulled listings and buyers paused. By mid-2020, activity rebounded sharply as remote work made Denver even more attractive.
Pandemic boom: record price growth
+42% YoY appreciation
Historically low mortgage rates (below 3%), remote work migration, and demand from coastal buyers drove Denver's fastest-ever price appreciation. Bidding wars became the norm.
Fed rate hikes — affordability shock
DOM nearly doubled
The Federal Reserve raised rates 425 bps in 2022. Mortgage rates surged to 7%+. Days on market almost doubled from 16 to 30+ days as buyer purchasing power collapsed.
Market stabilization at elevated prices
Prices held near peak
Despite rate pressure, Denver prices stabilized rather than crashed — limited inventory kept values elevated. The market transitioned from seller-extreme to balanced conditions.
Balanced market returns
~32 median DOM
Inventory crept higher as rate-locked sellers finally listed. Buyers gained negotiating room. The market reached the most balanced conditions since pre-pandemic — healthier but still expensive.
Current: inventory recovery underway
6,200+ active listings
Active listings are at their highest since 2019 as seller confidence returns. Prices remain near record highs but buyer leverage is improving. Rate cuts expected to further stimulate demand.
Sources: FRED (MEDLISPRI19740, MEDDAYONMAR19740, ACTLISCOU19740), Colorado Association of Realtors annual market reports.
Denver Neighborhood Price Tiers
Hardcoded editorial data based on Q4 2024 Denver MLS activity. Trend percentages are year-over-year approximations.
Cherry Creek
Denver's most affluent enclave; luxury retail, top-rated schools.
Washington Park
Historic Craftsman homes surrounding the city's most beloved park.
Hilltop
Quiet, leafy streets with sprawling mid-century ranch homes.
Park Hill
Diverse, architecturally rich; strong appreciation trajectory.
Platt Park
Family-friendly with top-rated Old South Pearl dining scene.
Baker
Walkable arts district; Victorian rowhouses meet craft cocktail bars.
RiNo
River North's industrial-chic lofts and condo market heating up.
Capitol Hill
Dense urban living; condos and renovated mansions mixed.
Sunnyside
Northwest hub with strong restaurant scene and bungalow charm.
Berkeley
Trendy Tennyson St. corridor; high walkability and bike scores.
Globeville
Industrial-adjacent; fastest price growth in the city as buyers price-seek.
Elyria-Swansea
I-70 redevelopment corridor; significant investment in infrastructure.
Montbello
Northeast Denver's largest neighborhood; high value relative to size.
Westwood
Southwest Denver; Latino cultural hub with strong community ties.
Barnum
Proximity to Sloan Lake driving rapid gentrification pressure.
Data: Denver MLS Q4 2024 median closed prices by neighborhood. YoY change vs. Q4 2023. Editorial interpretation — not a licensed appraisal.
Buy vs. Rent Calculator
5-year cost comparison based on your inputs. Estimates only — consult a licensed financial advisor.
Your Inputs
Monthly P&I
$3,327
Total Monthly Buy
$4,548
incl. tax, ins., maint.
Down Payment
$57K
Break-Even
>10 yr.
5-Year Cost Comparison Table
Cumulative costs; buying net position includes equity gained from appreciation.
| Year | Cum. Buy Cost | Cum. Rent Cost | Home Value | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $129K | $20K | $590K | Rent |
| Year 2 | $183K | $41K | $610K | Rent |
| Year 3 | $238K | $62K | $632K | Rent |
| Year 4 | $292K | $85K | $654K | Rent |
| Year 5 | $347K | $108K | $677K | Rent |
Based on your inputs, renting may be the better short-term financial choice.
With current inputs, buying does not break even within 10 years — consider a larger down payment or lower price point. Home projected at $676,862 after 5 years at 3.5% annual appreciation.
Includes closing costs (3%), property tax (0.65%), insurance (0.5%), maintenance (1% rule), and HOA ($200/mo). Does not include tax deductions, investment returns on down payment, or individual circumstances.
Related Denver Data Tools
Explore the full suite of open data dashboards for the Denver metro.
Data Sources & Methodology
| Series / Variable | Source |
|---|---|
| MEDLISPRI19740 | FRED / Realtor.com |
| ATNHPIUS19740Q | FRED / FHFA |
| MEDDAYONMAR19740 | FRED / Realtor.com |
| ACTLISCOU19740 | FRED / Realtor.com |
| NEWLISCOU19740 | FRED / Realtor.com |
| ACS B25077_001E | U.S. Census ACS |
| ACS B25064_001E | U.S. Census ACS |
| ACS B25003 | U.S. Census ACS |
FRED data covers the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 19740). Census data is Denver County (FIPS 08031) from the ACS 5-Year Estimates. Page revalidates every 24 hours.
All calculators are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or real estate advice. Consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.
Source: FREDChecked
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACSData as of ACS 2022Checked
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