35 Jaw-Dropping US Real Estate Statistics [2026]: How Many Realtors Are In The US

Real estate research summary. Real estate continues to be a vital aspect of American life, influencing everyone from buyers and sellers to agents. Following the Housing Market Crash of 2008, real estate prices have soared, reaching unprecedented heights. The market dynamics have evolved significantly, especially post-pandemic, with remote work and changing buyer preferences shaping today’s landscape.

If you’re curious about the current state of real estate agents in the U.S. and other key statistics, we have compiled essential insights into the U.S. real estate industry. Based on our thorough research:

• As of February 2026, there are over 1.53 million realtors operating in the U.S.

• The total value of U.S. housing stock is approximately $43.4 trillion.

• Between January 2025 and January 2026, home prices across the U.S. experienced an overall increase of 5.5%.

• Currently, 97% of homebuyers begin their searches online.

• The market size of the Real Estate Sales Brokerage industry in the U.S. is estimated at $222.3 billion in 2026.

• There are approximately 143.8 million housing units in the U.S.

For further analysis, we have categorized the data as follows:
Housing Market | Agent | Trends and Predictions | Home Buyer

General real estate industry statistics

Owning a home has long been a cornerstone of the “American Dream.” However, in recent years, housing prices have significantly outpaced the incomes of many Americans. Here are the latest insights from our research:

• In 2022, approximately 5.95 million homes were sold in the U.S. This figure has steadily increased since 2011, when sales were only 4.57 million annually. Sales are projected to rise further in 2026.

• San Francisco, California, currently holds the highest median selling price for U.S. real estate at $1.36 million. The city also has the highest average 5% down payment at $68,000, largely due to its neutral market conditions.

• Manhattan, New York, boasts the highest cost per square foot in the U.S. at $1,400. Despite being one of the priciest locations, market conditions are influencing prices, as evidenced by a median listing price of $1.6 million and a median selling price of $950,000.

  Most expensive cities by cost per square foot

  City	Median Selling Price	Median Listing Price	Average Price per Square Foot
  San Francisco, CA	$1.36M	$1.3M	$1,100
  Manhattan, NY	$950K	$1.6M	$1,400
  San Jose, CA	$983K	$925K	$610
  Bethesda, MD	$848K	$1.2M	$500
  Brooklyn, NY	$799K	$730K	$720
  Los Angeles, CA	$760K	$860K	$550
  Boston, MA	$692K	$770K	$760
  Oakland, CA	$757K	$690K	$525
  Seattle, WA	$751K	$690K	$520
  Honolulu, HI	$610K	$625K	$700

• Houston, Texas, is currently one of the most attractive real estate markets, with a median listing price of $342,000. Unlike Austin, which has seen rapid price increases recently, Houston remains one of the more affordable housing markets in the U.S.

• Washington State has the most competitive real estate market, with 44.74% of homes selling above their listing price. Additionally, an average of 68 homes are sold monthly just two weeks after being listed, driven by the presence of major tech companies like Microsoft.

  Most competitive real estate markets by state

  State	% of Homes Sold Above Listing Price	Ave. Homes Sold in Less Than 2 Weeks per Month	Ave. Monthly Supply of Homes
  Washington	44.74%	68	1.27
  Nebraska	38.80%	68	1.13
  Kansas	27.16%	55	0.00
  Oregon	38.87%	56	1.71
  Utah	40.67%	50	1.50
  Minnesota	41.87%	48	1.73
  Indiana	25.24%	65	1.23
  Idaho	29.51%	59	1.30
  Colorado	34.46%	55	1.94
  Virginia	37.34%	45	1.57

• The market size of the Real Estate Sales Brokerage industry in the U.S. is $222.3 billion as of 2026. However, the industry has a modest growth rate of 0.6%. The market size of the industry has been relatively stagnant.

• In the past few years, there has been a significant shortage of new home supply, with a cumulative shortage estimated at over 5 million. While the number of homes being built has slightly increased, the deficit remains substantial, with 5.24 million fewer housing starts than household formations.

• REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) own approximately $3.5 trillion in gross real estate assets. U.S. REITs contributed around 2.6 million full-time jobs to the economy in previous years.

Housing market statistics

The real estate housing market remains highly competitive and expensive, with significant shortages persisting across the U.S. Here are the latest facts:

• As of 2023, there are 143.8 million housing units in the U.S. This figure reflects a modest growth of just over 7% since 2010, contrasting sharply with the 18% growth observed between 1980 and 1990.

  This marks an increase of 3 million from 2020, when the total housing stock was 140.8 million units.

• The average down payment for a home in 2026 is $24,100. While this amount may seem substantial, it represents only about 13% of the average home cost, which exceeds $250,000. Most banks typically require a 20% down payment to eliminate mortgage insurance.

• As of Q3 2023, the median home price in the U.S. is $392,000. This reflects an 8.9% increase compared to 2022 prices and marks a significant increase from $111,000 in 1999.

• In May 2023, the median cost of a new home in the U.S. reached $436,800. This more than doubles the price from 2000, when the median was $207,000. Prices for new homes saw a slight decrease from 2021 to 2022.

• On average, it takes 56 days to close a loan for a home purchase. This duration encompasses numerous steps including finding an agent, mortgage pre-approval, making offers, inspections, final mortgage approval, appraisals, and more. Notably, this does not account for the approximately four and a half months required to shop for the right home.

• As of 2023, there are approximately 16 million vacant houses in the U.S. Although this number has decreased from 17 million in 2019, it remains concerning given the over 580,000 homeless individuals across the country.



Median home price by state

State	Median Home Price
Hawaii	$615.3K
California	$505K
Massachusetts	$381.6K
Colorado	$343.3K
Washington	$339K
New Jersey	$335.6K
Maryland	$314.8K
New York	$313.7K
Oregon	$312.2K
Utah	$279.1K
Connecticut	$275.4K
Virginia	$273.1K
Alaska	$270.4K
Nevada	$267.9K
Rhode Island	$261.9K
New Hampshire	$261.7K
Delaware	$251.1K
Montana	$230.6K
Vermont	$227.7K
Arizona	$225.5K
Minnesota	$223.9K
Wyoming	$220.5K
Florida	$215.3K
Idaho	$212.3K
Illinois	$194.5K
North Dakota	$193.9K
Maine	$190.4K
Wisconsin	$180.6K
Pennsylvania	$180.2K
Georgia	$176K
Texas	$172.5K
North Carolina	$172.5K
New Mexico	$171.4K
Tennessee	$167.2K
South Dakota	$167.1K
Louisiana	$163.1K
South Carolina	$162.3K
Missouri	$157.2K
Nebraska	$155.8K
Michigan	$154.9K
Kansas	$151.9K
Iowa	$147.8K
Ohio	$145.7K
Alabama	$142.7K
Indiana	$141.7K
Kentucky	$141K
Oklahoma	$136.8K
Arkansas	$127.8K
West Virginia	$119.6K
Mississippi	$119K

Real estate agent statistics

Real estate agents are integral to the home buying and selling processes, with most Americans depending on their expertise. According to our findings:

• Approximately 1.46 million real estate agents are currently active in the U.S. This number represents a 29% increase since 2012, when there were about 1 million agents. There are currently 106,548 real estate brokerage firms in operation across the country.

• Pennsylvania is the leading state for real estate agents. While states like New York may offer higher average annual salaries, Pennsylvania compensates with a lower cost of living. The average annual salary for a real estate agent in PA is a robust $96,244, with 1,743 available real estate jobs, the most of any state.

• The average commission for a real estate agent is 6% of a home’s sales price. Therefore, on a $250,000 home sale, an agent could earn approximately $15,000. This commission applies to both the buyer’s and seller’s agent.

• 87% of real estate agents do not succeed within their first five years. Many enter the field due to the potential for high earnings, but the competitive landscape can hinder their success.

• 75% of homebuyers work with the first agent they contact. Another 15% choose their second option, underscoring the importance of a real estate agent’s initial interaction with potential clients. Additionally, 33% of buyers will opt for a realtor they’ve previously worked with.

• Home prices increased by 13.2% from May 2020 to May 2021. Many sought-after locations experienced substantial price surges, such as Austin, Texas with a 30.5% increase and Phoenix, Arizona with a 23.5% increase.

• On average, homes appreciate by 3.5% to 3.8% annually. This contrasts sharply with the 13% appreciation seen recently, emphasizing the notable market fluctuations.

• Experts predict that the growth of housing prices will stabilize around 4.4% in 2026. While the market is anticipated to maintain upward momentum, a crash is unlikely.

• From 2016 to 2026, the U.S. real estate industry is expected to experience a CAGR of 7%. This aligns with the global forecast of 8%, indicating a positive outlook for the real estate sector.

Home buyer statistics

As the real estate landscape shifts, understanding buyer behaviors is crucial. Here are the latest trends:

• Millennials (ages 22-40) represent 37% of the home-buying market. Older millennials (31-40 years) account for 23%. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers and Gen X comprise significant portions of the market at 18% and 24%, respectively.

• On average, homebuyers visit ten homes before making a purchase decision. This process typically spans several weeks, though individual experiences may vary significantly.

• 81% of millennials aged 22-38 discover homes through mobile apps. In comparison, only 54% of Baby Boomers aged 73 and older utilize this method, although older generations often report higher satisfaction with online home-buying services.

• The average American allocates 16.4% of their income to housing. Although this percentage is high for the decade, it remains historically low compared to previous periods.

• As of 2021, 88% of buyers engaged real estate agents or brokers. This marks a significant increase from 2001, when only 69% utilized professional services for home purchases.

• The average income of first-time homebuyers is $67,342 annually. However, this figure can be misleading, as at least half of first-time homebuyers earn less than $60,000 per year.

Real estate industry FAQ

1. How many real estate agents are in the U.S. in 2026?

   There are over 1.53 million real estate agents operating in the U.S. as of February 2026. These agents work independently or at one of the more than 106,000 real estate brokerage firms across the country.

   Real estate remains an attractive career due to the high average salary exceeding $90,000 per year. However, 87% of agents do not succeed, making it essential to understand the market and build a strong network.

2. How much is the real estate industry worth?

   The U.S. real estate industry is valued at $222.3 billion. This figure reflects the business of real estate agents, brokers, and other professionals, distinct from the value of homes and commercial properties.

   The total value of commercial properties is estimated at $16 trillion, while the total stock of housing is valued at around $43.4 trillion.

3. Is the real estate industry growing?

   The real estate industry is growing, albeit slowly. The industry’s growth is expected to increase by 0.6% in 2026.

   However, property values surged significantly from 2021 to 2022, increasing by 14.8%, which is notably higher than the average annual appreciation of 3.8%.

4. Is real estate a concentrated industry?

   No, the real estate industry is generally not concentrated. The industry is predominantly diverse and tailored to local markets. While some areas may exhibit higher concentrations, broad generalizations are not applicable.

   It’s important to note that REITs benefit from concentration and may skew perceptions of industry concentration.

5. Is it hard to be successful in real estate?

   Yes, success in real estate can be challenging. With 87% of agents failing within their first five years, it’s crucial to find clients and build a reputation in a competitive field with more than 1.46 million agents.

   A strong initial interview with potential clients is vital, as 75% of buyers opt for the first agent they meet. Building a solid client base over time can enhance chances of success due to referrals from satisfied clients.

6. Why do most realtors fail?

   Many realtors fail due to a lack of perseverance, ineffective marketing strategies, or insufficient interpersonal skills. Real estate can be perceived as an attractive side gig, but it demands considerable time and effort to establish a successful career.

   Some agents may struggle to weather market fluctuations or lack the financial resources needed to sustain themselves during lean periods.

   Additionally, the inability to effectively market properties or themselves can lead to lost opportunities and diminished reputations.

7. What is the highest-paying job in real estate?

   The highest-paying position in real estate is that of a mortgage loan officer. These professionals assist homebuyers in securing loans for purchasing property.

   Mortgage loan officers typically work independently, offering various loan options to clients. With an average salary of $152,639, this career path is financially rewarding.

   Other high-paying roles in real estate include:

   • Real Estate Attorney

   • Compliance Specialist

   • Realtor

   • Real Estate Broker

   • Property Accountant

   • Real Estate Investment Consultant

   • Real Estate Appraiser

Conclusion

The real estate market continues to experience upward price trends, with an overall increase of over 15% since 2021. This trend indicates a stabilizing market, which is promising for millennials, who now represent 37% of the real estate landscape.

While the pandemic significantly impacted the market, with a documented shortage of over 5 million new homes, many traditionally competitive markets, such as Manhattan and Los Angeles, have shifted towards a buyer’s market. Conversely, states like Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, and Idaho are witnessing an influx of buyers.

This migration away from larger U.S. cities can be partially attributed to the rise of remote work, although the long-term sustainability of this trend remains uncertain.

Sources:

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Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.