Could San Francisco’s Latest Data Indicate a Peak in Housing Prices?
Housing costs in 99% of U.S. counties remain above their historical averages, according to a report from real estate data firm ATTOM. San Francisco stands as a rare exception, with a median home price of $1.4 million now more affordable due to rising local wages outpacing housing costs. Nationally, 86% of counties saw improved affordability in Q4 2025, signaling potential market stabilization.
Buying a home in San Francisco still consumes 50% of the median income—down from a historical average of 59% and far below the 84% peak in 2006. This shift offers breathing room for buyers previously priced out of the market. The trend, if sustained, could mark a turning point in the affordability crisis.