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Columbus Housing Market

By Veronica Miniello

Columbus housing demand remains measured as supply returns to pre-pandemic levels

Home sales in Columbus edged lower in March as inventory gains and longer days on market signaled a more balanced housing environment, even as prices continued to rise faster than the national average.

Columbus home sales see a modest decrease in March

Home sales in Columbus recorded a modest decline in March, ranking in the middle of the 40 largest U.S. markets in home sales change. March’s decline marked the second consecutive year in which sales fell by less than 2%, a notably smaller drop than in prior years, signaling a move toward balanced market conditions.

Population growth continued to support housing demand across the Columbus metro. Since 2020, the market’s population increased by 4.7%, outpacing the national growth rate of 3.1% and ranking among the Midwest's fastest-growing metros. Demand was particularly strong in high-growth suburbs such as Delaware and Liberty, which led the market in home sales.

Columbus inventory returns to pre-pandemic levels

Housing inventory in Columbus increased 7.7% year over year in March, marking the third consecutive year of inventory growth. While supply expanded, gains were modest compared to the national benchmark. Columbus ranked 22nd among the 40 largest U.S. markets for inventory growth, with a slower rate than regional peers such as Cleveland and Indianapolis.

March inventory growth pushed supply levels back in line with pre-pandemic norms. As supply normalized, listings remained on the market longer. The median number of days on market rose to 50, marking a 13.6% increase from a year earlier and reflecting a gradual easing of competitive pressures for buyers.

Columbus price growth continues to outpace the US

Columbus maintained steady price growth despite rising supply. Columbus ranked among the top 10 major U.S. markets for annual price appreciation, alongside other Midwest metros such as Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Columbus’ median home price was slightly below the national benchmark, but among the highest of regional peers at $355,000.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March 2026 median sale price growth across U.S. metros, showing Columbus at 4.1%, above most U.S. markets, but in line with regional peers.
The median home sale price increased 4.1% in Columbus in March, ranking among U.S. markets with the strongest price appreciation.


Columbus Sale Prices

The median home sale price in Columbus increased by 4.1% in March compared to the same time last year, while the national median price rose 1.3%.

Columbus ranks 10th for annual median home sale price change among the top 40 US markets

Columbus’ median home price rose by $14,000 year over year in March to $355,000. Meanwhile, the national median home price increased by $5,000 to $385,000.

Columbus’ median home sale price is below the nation’s median

Columbus was the 31st-highest priced housing market among the top 40 largest markets in March. The Columbus median home price of $355,000 was 7.8% below the national median. Columbus’ median home price in March compares to the market’s peak of $374,900 recorded in June of last year.

Columbus single-family prices increase

The median price of Columbus single-family homes rose $14,000 over the past year to $355,000. Annual price growth for Columbus single-family homes was 2.8% in March, while the median townhome price fell 23.2% and the median condo price grew 6%.


Key metrics table comparing Columbus and U.S. sale prices, annual change, and national rankings, highlighting strong growth in Columbus.
Columbus ranked 31st nationally for sale prices but placed 10th for annual growth rate, underscoring strong relative momentum.


Vertical bar chart showing Columbus monthly sale prices from 2018 to 2026, illustrating long-term appreciation and recent stabilization.
Sale prices in Columbus more than doubled since 2018, with values stabilizing near historic highs entering 2026.


Area chart showing Columbus' annual percent change in sale prices from 2018 to 2026, peaking earlier in the cycle and leveling off recently.
Price appreciation has cooled from double-digit growth earlier in the cycle, though Columbus remains in positive territory year over year.


Bar chart showing annual percent change in March sale prices in Columbus from 2018 through 2026, with growth moderating.
March marked continued price momentum in Columbus, though gains eased from the exceptionally strong growth recorded between 2020 and 2022.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March 2026 median sale prices across U.S. metros, showing Columbus at $355,000, which is among the lowest of the 40 largest U.S. markets.
In March, Columbus posted a median sale price of $355,000, remaining affordable relative to coastal markets while tracking closely with Midwest peers.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March 2026 median sale price growth across U.S. metros, showing Columbus at 4.1%, amonght the highest of national peers.
In March, Columbus posted a median sale price increase of 4.1%, among the top 10 U.S. markets for price growth.


Key metrics table comparing Columbus sale prices and annual growth by property type, highlighting strong condo growth and declines among attached homes.
Condo prices led annual gains in Columbus at 6.0%, while attached homes declined sharply, reflecting diverging performance by product type.


Grouped bar chart showing Columbus sale prices and annual percent change for detached, attached, and condo homes.
Detached homes remain the most expensive segment at $369,900, while condos recorded the fastest price growth over the past year.


Columbus Inventory

The number of active listings in Columbus increased by 7.7% in March compared to the same time last year, while nationwide active listings rose by 10.7%.

Columbus’ inventory of homes for sale increases

Columbus active listings rose by 381 year over year in March to 5,326 active listings. Columbus ranked 22nd on a percentage basis for the annual change in the number of homes for sale out of the top 40 U.S. markets in March.

Columbus active listings are above pre-pandemic levels

Columbus active listings rose over the past year and are now 0.7% above the March 2019 total of 5,290. For context, inventory of homes for sale stood at 1,274,931 million for the nation as a whole in March, a 1.8% decrease from March 2019.

Columbus single-family inventory grows

Columbus single-family active listings grew by 7.4% to 4,349 in March. In comparison, townhome active listings fell by 32.6% to 29 and condo active listings increased by 11.3% to 948.


Data point boxes comparing Columbus and U.S. active listings and annual growth, including national rankings for March.
Columbus ranked 35th nationally for active listings in March, with inventory growth trailing the U.S. average but remaining solidly positive.


Time-series bar chart showing Columbus active home listings from 2018 to 2026, ending near 5,300.
Columbus active listings trended upward through early 2026, reaching just over 5,300 units as of March.


Area chart showing annual percent change in Columbus active listings, highlighting positive growth in 2026.
Annual inventory growth remained positive in March 2026, reinforcing signs of gradually improving supply conditions.


Bar chart showing month-over-month percent change in March active listings for Columbus, indicating a modest positive increase.
Active listings in Columbus rose in March, marking the third consecutive year of inventory growth.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March active home listings across U.S. metros, showing Columbus with 5,326 listings, which ranks toward the bottom.
With 5,326 active listings in March, Columbus ranked in the lower half of major U.S. metros, reflecting tighter inventory conditions than most large markets.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March active home listings growth across U.S. metros, with Columbus posting modest inventory growth.
Columbus ranked in the middle of major U.S. markets for inventory growth at 7.7%


Data point boxes summarizing Columbus active listings and annual growth by property type, highlighting growth in detached and condo inventory, and a decline in attached inventory.
Detached homes accounted for most active listings in Columbus, rising 7.4% year over year, while attached inventory declined 32.6%.


Grouped bar charts showing Columbus annual inventory change and active listings by detached, attached, and condo property types.
Detached homes drove inventory growth in Columbus, while attached listings declined sharply and condo supply posted double-digit annual gains.


Columbus Home Sales

The number of home sales in Columbus decreased by 1.8% in March compared to the same time last year, while national home sales rose by 0.5%.

Columbus home sales decrease

Columbus home sales decreased by 34 year over year in March to 1,895 sales. For context, 1,929 sales closed in Columbus in March 2025.

Columbus’s annual home sales activity change ranks 23rd nationally

Columbus ranked 23rd for the annual change in home sales out of the top 40 U.S. markets in March on a percentage basis. This year’s March decrease of 1.8% compares to 1.5% year-over-year decline in March 2025.

Columbus single-family sales are lower than a year ago

Columbus single-family sales decreased by 1.3% year over year in March to 1,588 total sales. In comparison, townhome sales fell by 72.2% to five and condo sales experienced no change.


Data point boxes showing Cleveland home sales, annual change, and national ranking compared with U.S. totals, placing Columbus in the middle of national rankings.
Columbus logged 1,895 total home sales in March, a decline of 34 transactions year over year, ranking 30th nationally for sales volume and 23rd for annual change.


Time-series bar chart showing Columbus monthly home sales from 2018 to March 2026, illustrating a decline from recent peaks.
Longer-term trends show Columbus sales have receded steadily from the 2021–2022 peak, aligning with higher rates and reduced inventory entering 2026.


Area chart showing Columbus year-over-year home sales percent change from 2018 to March 2026, highlighting recent declines.
Columbus’ annual sales growth remained volatile entering 2026, with year-over-year declines persisting through March and continuing the pullback that began after the 2022 peak.


Vertical bar chart showing monthly percent change in Columbus home sales, with March 2026 down 1.8%.
Month-over-month trends show uneven momentum, with March posting a 1.8% decline, reinforcing ongoing softness in near-term buyer activity.


Horizontal bar chart comparing March 2026 home sales across U.S. metros, showing Columbus with 1,895 sales, mid-range nationally.
In March 2026, Columbus recorded 1,895 home sales, placing it solidly in the middle of major U.S. metros and trailing larger Sun Belt markets such as Dallas–Fort Worth and Phoenix, where monthly sales topped 7,000.


Horizontal bar chart showing year-over-year March home sales change by metro, with Columbus down 1.8%, which is mid-range among major U.S. metros.
Columbus home sales declined 1.8% year over year in March, outperforming several peer markets, including Cleveland and Indianapolis, but underperforming faster-growing Midwest metros such as Kansas City.


Dashboard-style chart summarizing Columbus home sales and annual growth by property type, showing sharp avdecline in attached home sales.
Columbus detached home sales declined modestly, while attached homes posted a sharper year-over-year drop, reflecting heightened sensitivity to affordability and supply constraints.


Combined bar chart showing Columbus March home sales by property type, led by 1,588 detached home sales.
Sales activity in Columbus continued to be driven by detached homes, which totaled 1,588 sales in March, while attached and condo segments remained muted with limited inventory and slower turnover.


For questions and commentary about this report:

Veronica Miniello, Associate Director of Market Analytics at CoStar and Homes.com, based in Cleveland, is available for interviews to provide expert insights on this data and the broader residential real estate market.

Veronica Miniello

Associate Director of Market Analytics

Homes.com

vminiello@costar.com

Homes.com releases preliminary figures on housing trends on a monthly basis. Although these numbers may change slightly once all transactions are accounted for, they provide an early indication of home price appreciation, inventory changes, and sales volume in Columbus during March 2026.

For most markets, geographical coverage consists of the Census-defined Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA). Data for San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York is at the Metropolitan Division level.

Definition of Sale Prices

Median home price is the midpoint sale price of homes closed during each month. This data includes homes that are detached, attached, and condominiums. Detached homes are single-family units. Attached homes are townhomes, rowhouses, and duplexes. The condominium classification includes co-ops.

Definition of Inventory

Inventory is the number of unique active listings that were for sale during each month. This data includes homes that are detached, attached, and condominiums. Detached homes are single-family units. Attached homes are townhomes, rowhouses, and duplexes. The condominium classification includes co-ops.

Definition of Home Sales

The total number of closed home sales on the MLS during the month. This data includes homes that are detached, attached, and condominiums. Detached homes are single-family units. Attached homes are townhomes, rowhouses, and duplexes. The condominium classification includes co-ops.

About the Homes.com Market Analytics Team

The Homes.com Market Analytics group is a team of experienced analysts embedded in nearly 30 markets across North America. These experts reside in and regularly visit the markets they cover, providing local expertise and a national perspective on all sectors of real estate: residential, office, industrial, retail, and multifamily.

About Homes.com Analytics Data

The Homes.com analytic data is compiled by the CoStar Analytics team, the largest and most experienced analytics team in the real estate industry. The team consists of over 50 economists, analysts, and data scientists, who collectively have more than 900 years of real estate experience and over 30 advanced degrees. Analysts on the team live in and around the markets they cover, enabling them to build deep local knowledge and unique insights.

The data set being used by the team is one of the most comprehensive and robust in the industry. It spans all 393 metropolitan markets, 542 micropolitan markets, and over 35,000 local neighborhoods in the U.S. The data set is sourced from almost 500 Multiple Listing Service (MLS) providers around the country, as well as public record data from each market, and is supplemented by proprietary data collected by CoStar's team of over 2,000 researchers. It includes a complete inventory of all homes in the U.S., including homes for sale, homes for rent, new construction homes, as well as sale comps and rent comps.

Writer
Veronica Miniello

Veronica Miniello is an Associate Director of Market Analytics for CoStar Group. Based in Cleveland, Veronica covers markets in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and upstate New York, providing insights into market and property sector performance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from New York University and a master's degree from George Washington University.

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