The map above shows how much houses cost in 1950 in each US state in 2024 inflation adjusted US dollars, compared to what the average cost actually is in 2024.
In every single US state the increase was at at least double the rate of inflation from a low in Ohio of just 107% above inflation to a high in Alaska of 675% above inflation.
The following map shows the percentage increase above inflation:
And here are 3 maps showing Median Home Value in 1950 (in non-inflation adjusted terms), and bigger versions of the two maps at the top.
Finally, you can see all the data at the bottom:
Median home value by state in 1950 in non-inflation adjusted dollars
Median home value by state in 1950 in inflation adjusted dollars
Actual Median home value by state in 2024
And here’s all the data on the changes:
| State | Median Home Value (1950) | Inflation Adjusted Median Home Value (1950) | Median Home Value (2024) | Absolute $ Increase Above Inflation | Percent Increase Above Inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,473 | $60,072 | $227,508 | $167,436 | 279% |
| Alaska | $3,477 | $46,696 | $362,098 | $315,402 | 675% |
| Arizona | $5,935 | $79,707 | $428,711 | $349,004 | 438% |
| Arkansas | $4,087 | $54,888 | $208,078 | $153,190 | 279% |
| California | $9,564 | $128,445 | $771,057 | $642,612 | 500% |
| Colorado | $7,151 | $96,038 | $541,072 | $445,034 | 463% |
| Connecticut | $11,862 | $159,307 | $405,595 | $246,289 | 155% |
| Delaware | $9,079 | $121,931 | $388,654 | $266,723 | 219% |
| District of Columbia | $14,498 | $194,708 | $602,769 | $408,060 | 210% |
| Florida | $6,612 | $88,799 | $392,176 | $303,376 | 342% |
| Georgia | $5,235 | $70,306 | $326,617 | $256,311 | 365% |
| Hawaii | $12,283 | $164,961 | $845,946 | $680,985 | 413% |
| Idaho | $5,852 | $78,592 | $451,520 | $372,928 | 475% |
| Illinois | $8,646 | $116,116 | $266,706 | $150,590 | 130% |
| Indiana | $6,226 | $83,615 | $242,113 | $158,498 | 190% |
| Iowa | $6,320 | $84,878 | $220,277 | $135,400 | 160% |
| Kansas | $5,462 | $73,355 | $229,012 | $155,658 | 212% |
| Kentucky | $5,283 | $70,951 | $212,088 | $141,137 | 199% |
| Louisiana | $5,141 | $69,044 | $201,519 | $132,476 | 192% |
| Maine | $4,856 | $65,216 | $401,297 | $336,081 | 515% |
| Maryland | $8,033 | $107,883 | $418,438 | $310,555 | 288% |
| Massachusetts | $9,144 | $122,804 | $623,131 | $500,327 | 407% |
| Michigan | $7,496 | $100,671 | $245,716 | $145,044 | 144% |
| Minnesota | $7,806 | $104,835 | $334,119 | $229,285 | 219% |
| Mississippi | $4,159 | $55,855 | $181,313 | $125,457 | 225% |
| Missouri | $6,399 | $85,939 | $248,328 | $162,389 | 189% |
| Montana | $5,797 | $77,854 | $462,631 | $384,777 | 494% |
| Nebraska | $5,918 | $79,479 | $259,443 | $179,964 | 226% |
| Nevada | $8,859 | $118,976 | $442,185 | $323,209 | 272% |
| New Hampshire | $6,199 | $83,253 | $478,955 | $395,703 | 475% |
| New Jersey | $10,408 | $139,779 | $534,773 | $394,994 | 283% |
| New Mexico | $5,697 | $76,511 | $303,910 | $227,399 | 297% |
| New York | $10,152 | $136,341 | $482,742 | $346,400 | 254% |
| North Carolina | $4,901 | $65,820 | $328,715 | $262,895 | 399% |
| North Dakota | $5,396 | $72,468 | $263,410 | $190,942 | 263% |
| Ohio | $8,304 | $111,523 | $230,798 | $119,275 | 107% |
| Oklahoma | $5,228 | $70,212 | $205,968 | $135,756 | 193% |
| Oregon | $6,846 | $91,942 | $492,683 | $400,742 | 436% |
| Pennsylvania | $6,992 | $93,903 | $268,824 | $174,921 | 186% |
| Rhode Island | $9,767 | $131,171 | $467,485 | $336,314 | 256% |
| South Carolina | $5,112 | $68,654 | $295,769 | $227,115 | 331% |
| South Dakota | $5,410 | $72,656 | $306,944 | $234,287 | 322% |
| Tennessee | $5,268 | $70,749 | $319,208 | $248,458 | 351% |
| Texas | $5,805 | $77,961 | $300,267 | $222,306 | 285% |
| Utah | $7,409 | $99,503 | $517,020 | $417,517 | 420% |
| Vermont | $6,277 | $84,300 | $390,132 | $305,832 | 363% |
| Virginia | $6,581 | $88,383 | $392,682 | $304,299 | 344% |
| Washington | $7,169 | $96,280 | $588,856 | $492,576 | 512% |
| West Virginia | $5,473 | $73,502 | $168,172 | $94,670 | 129% |
| Wisconsin | $7,927 | $106,460 | $306,566 | $200,106 | 188% |
| Wyoming | $6,811 | $91,472 | $354,108 | $262,636 | 287% |
Data for 1950 US house prices came from the US Census, inflation data for the Bureau of Labour Statistics and the 2024 house prices from Zillow. Maps created using Datawrapper.
Why do you think home prices have outpaced inflation since the 1950s?
Davis Straub says
Since housing prices are included in the CPI, how can there be an in crease in housing costs above inflation?
Brilliant Maps says
Because housing is only part of inflation.