WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County’s median home sale price climbed 5.4% year over year to $537,500 in January 2026, even as total sales activity slowed from December levels in what analysts describe as a seasonal reset to start the year.
The January figure represents a pullback from December’s peak pricing but remains well above January 2025 levels, indicating continued annual appreciation in the local market.
Demand remained strongest in mid-market price ranges, while higher-end homes — particularly in areas such as West Chester — saw longer marketing times compared with last year’s pace. Homes countywide sold in a median of roughly 30 to 31 days, slightly slower than the more competitive speeds seen in 2025 but still reflecting steady buyer activity.
Inventory showed mixed signals. New listings surged nearly 71% from December following the holiday lull, adding close to 350 properties to the market. However, total active inventory remained slightly below year-ago levels, leaving the county with less than two months of available supply — a threshold generally considered a seller’s market.
Affordability continues to shape local conditions. While the countywide median price sits above half a million dollars, communities such as Coatesville and Parkesburg reported median values in the mid-$300,000 range, providing comparatively lower entry points for first-time and move-up buyers.
The rental market remains tight as well. Average monthly rent in Chester County rose to approximately $2,115 in January, a 3.3% increase from a year earlier, reflecting sustained demand for housing across both ownership and rental segments.
Mortgage rates near the 6% mark have helped maintain buyer interest heading into the spring market, though higher borrowing costs compared with pandemic-era lows continue to limit affordability for some households.
Nationally, the RE/MAX National Housing Report for January 2026 showed a similar seasonal slowdown. Across 52 metro areas surveyed, home sales fell 6.0% from January 2025 and dropped 32.0% from December 2025. New listings increased 61.8% month over month but were 3.8% lower than a year earlier.
The median sales price across the 52 markets was $425,000, up 1.0% year over year and down 2.0% from December. Buyers paid an average of 98% of the asking price, unchanged from both December 2025 and January 2025.
Inventory nationally was up 10.9% from a year earlier, marking the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Months’ supply of inventory measured 3.1 months, compared with 2.8 months in January 2025 and 3.5 months in December 2025.
Homes spent an average of 62 days on market nationwide in January, up from 56 days a year earlier and 61 days in December. Among Northeast markets, Philadelphia posted an 8.6% year-over-year increase in median sales price, while new listings in the Philadelphia metro area were down 33.0% from January 2025, according to the report.
RE/MAX CEO Erik Carlson said increased inventory is providing more options for buyers despite the seasonal sales decline.
“In a month that is traditionally slow, inventory was higher than it was a year ago, and new listings came to market, giving buyers more options,” Carlson said. He said the market continues moving toward balance as 2026 progresses.
Locally, the data suggest Chester County remains resilient, with rising values and steady demand even as buyers take slightly more time to complete transactions and weigh financing decisions.
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