Key Takeaways
- Middlesex County home prices climbed 2.1% year over year to $847,165 in August, accelerating from July’s 0.3% gain and signaling renewed price momentum heading into fall.
- Active listings surged 20% year over year to 4,327 while new listings jumped 29%—yet months of supply remained a tight 2.3, indicating buyers are absorbing inventory nearly as fast as it appears.
- Homes sold in a median of 23 days with 46% closing above list price, well ahead of the national 50-day pace, though competition cooled slightly from the spring peak.
Middlesex County, MA Housing Market Snapshot
| Median Sale Price | Pending Sales | Active Listings | Days on Market | Sold Above List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $847,165 (+2.1% YoY) | 1,179 (-3.5% YoY) | 4,327 (+20.2% YoY) | 23 days (+2 days YoY) | 45.6% (-2.7 ppt YoY) |
Middlesex County’s housing market gained momentum in August, with prices accelerating to their strongest year-over-year growth since spring. Inventory expanded sharply—new listings rose nearly 29%—but demand proved resilient enough to keep months of supply well below three. The result was a market that remained decisively competitive, if slightly less frenetic than the spring bidding season.
Below is a breakdown of Middlesex County, MA housing data for August 2026, along with guidance for buyers and sellers heading into fall.
U.S. Housing Market Snapshot
| Median Sale Price | Pending Sales | Active Listings | Days on Market | Buyer-Seller Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $398,596 (+2.2% YoY) | 336,973 (-1.3% YoY) | 1,534,918 (+2.7% YoY) | 50 days (0 days YoY) | Sellers outnumber buyers by 57.9% |
Nationally, home prices rose about 2%, pending sales dipped about 1%, and homes sat on market for 50 days—unchanged from a year ago. Locally, the numbers diverged: Middlesex County matched the national price pace after trailing it all spring, saw inventory surge at ten times the national rate, and still moved homes in 23 days—less than half the national pace. The county’s ability to absorb a 20% inventory increase while maintaining price growth underscored its continued resilience among high-cost metros.
“The U.S. housing market faced some hurdles in August, as inflation and an AI-fueled economy kept mortgage rates high and weighed heavily on homebuyers, sellers, and investors,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economics research. “Until recently, affordability and activity had been slowly improving for months, helping the market recover. But now, economic uncertainty and rising prices are keeping more people on the sidelines and slowing the market further. For buyers who need to buy, now is a great time because there’s less competition and a bit more inventory—for sellers, pricing competitively is key to attract attention.”
Middlesex County Prices Accelerated From July’s Flat Reading
The typical home in Middlesex County sold for $847,165 in August—up 2.1% year over year, a marked improvement from July’s essentially flat reading. Nationally, prices rose 2.0% over the same period, meaning Middlesex County matched the broader trend after trailing it for several months. Price per square foot edged up 0.5% to $440, and the average home still sold for about 1% above its list price. About 18% of active listings carried a price reduction, slightly below July’s 20%, suggesting seller confidence firmed alongside the price rebound.
The price pickup came despite a 20% jump in active listings, a sign that buyer demand intensified enough to more than offset the supply wave. With months of supply at just over 2—up from under 2 in July but still far below the national figure of about 4—the market rewarded well-priced homes quickly while giving overpriced listings time to stagnate.
Sales Pulled Back Modestly After July’s Surge
Homes sold dipped 4.3% year over year to 1,309 in August, while pending sales declined 3.5% to 1,179—a seasonal normalization after July’s elevated closings rather than a demand pullback. The median home went under contract in 23 days, up 2 days from a year earlier but still remarkably fast for a market with an $847,000 median price. About 46% of homes closed above asking, down roughly 3 percentage points year over year.
Nationally, pending sales fell about 1%, homes sat on market for 50 days—unchanged from a year ago, and about 25% sold above list. Middlesex County continued to outpace the country on every speed and competition metric, even as the gap narrowed marginally from the spring.
New Listings Surged Nearly 29% as Homeowners Capitalized on Equity
Active listings rose about 20% year over year to 4,327 in August, while new listings jumped nearly 29% to 1,350. The pace of inventory growth accelerated from July’s 12% active-listing increase, driven in part by homeowners listing into price strength and elevated equity levels. Months of supply climbed to just over 2, up from under 2 in July but still firmly in seller’s territory.
Nationally, active listings rose about 3% to about 1,535,000, new listings climbed about 4% to roughly 393,000, and months of supply stood at about 4. Middlesex County’s inventory expansion far outpaced the nation, reflecting both the appeal of cashing out at $847,000 median prices and the seasonal listing wave that typically crests in late summer.
Non-Luxury Tier Led Competition; Bottom Tier Volume Surged Again
| Price Tier | Median Price (YoY) | Sold (YoY) | DOM (YoY) | % Above List (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury (top 5%) | $2,637,382 (+1.2%) | 317 (-11.2%) | 22 days (+1 days) | 36.6% (+3.5 ppt) |
| High (65th-95th%) | $1,239,106 (+2.7%) | 1,935 (+1.7%) | 19 days (+3 days) | 58.4% (-1.0 ppt) |
| Non-luxury (35th-65th%) | $760,729 (+2.1%) | 1,418 (+10.8%) | 20 days (+2 days) | 61.5% (-6.2 ppt) |
| Starter (5th-35th%) | $534,562 (+2.7%) | 1,003 (+11.7%) | 21 days (+2 days) | 51.9% (-6.9 ppt) |
| Bottom (bottom 5%) | $292,257 (-1.6%) | 230 (+24.3%) | 24 days (+3 days) | 35.2% (-14.5 ppt) |
Redfin analysis of MLS data • Rolling three-month period (May-July 2026)
The luxury tier ($2.6M median) appreciated just 1.2% year over year, the slowest among all tiers, though above-list activity rose 3.5 percentage points—the only segment to see an increase. Sales volume dropped 11% in the luxury segment, suggesting fewer transactions but intense competition for the deals that did close.
The bottom tier continued its breakout: sales jumped 24% year over year even as prices declined about 1%. Starter homes (up 2.7% in price, up 12% in volume) also showed strength. The non-luxury tier posted the highest above-list rate at 61.5%, making it the most competitive segment. Above-list rates fell across every tier except luxury, giving buyers incrementally more room to negotiate.
How Buyers and Sellers Can Navigate Middlesex County’s Market
If you’re buying in Middlesex County, August’s data shows a market that is competitive but gradually loosening. The median home sold in 23 days, about 46% closed above asking, and prices rose 2% year over year. Inventory is climbing fast—new listings jumped 29%—which means more options and slightly less pressure to waive contingencies. Focus on the starter and non-luxury tiers where volume growth is strongest, and don’t panic if you lose out on a competitive offer—fresh supply keeps arriving weekly.
If you’re selling, the window remains favorable. Prices accelerated from July’s flat reading, the sale-to-list ratio held just above 100%, and 46% of homes still closed above asking. However, inventory is rising at double-digit rates and the share selling above list has declined from last year. Price accurately from day one—homes that lingered beyond three weeks increasingly needed price cuts to move, and the 18% price-drop rate underscores the penalty for overpricing.
Middlesex County, MA Market Data by City
Rolling three-month period (June-August 2026). Cities with 50+ sales shown.
| City | Median Sale Price (YoY) | Sold | New List. | Active | DOM | % Above | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | $1,552,153 (-5.9% YoY) | 309 | 246 | 518 | 21 | 42.9% | 2.1 |
| Cambridge | $1,209,964 (0% YoY) | 281 | 242 | 450 | 23 | 44.2% | 1.7 |
| Somerville | $1,001,837 (-9.1% YoY) | 212 | 241 | 426 | 23 | 40.2% | 2.5 |
| Lowell | $514,659 (-5.6% YoY) | 205 | 262 | 410 | 25 | 59.1% | 2.5 |
| Framingham | $674,554 (-3.7% YoY) | 201 | 232 | 322 | 20 | 57.2% | 2.0 |
| Natick | $899,405 (-5.3% YoY) | 159 | 108 | 186 | 19 | 45.2% | 1.0 |
| Medford | $887,413 (-2.1% YoY) | 157 | 186 | 310 | 21 | 51.7% | 2.5 |
| Arlington | $1,104,269 (+1.9% YoY) | 153 | 137 | 199 | 21 | 53.8% | 1.1 |
| Lexington | $1,593,945 (-13.8% YoY) | 146 | 104 | 219 | 28 | 40.2% | 1.8 |
| Waltham | $819,458 (-5.3% YoY) | 132 | 139 | 209 | 21 | 45.8% | 1.9 |
| Chelmsford | $649,570 (-4.9% YoY) | 128 | 132 | 198 | 20 | 71.3% | 1.5 |
| Billerica | $709,530 (+1.4% YoY) | 124 | 128 | 182 | 21 | 58.8% | 1.2 |
| Tewksbury | $676,552 (-4.1% YoY) | 117 | 108 | 157 | 22 | 63.2% | 1.1 |
| Woburn | $774,487 (+4.8% YoY) | 115 | 114 | 173 | 21 | 59.9% | 1.5 |
| Watertown | $884,415 (+3.5% YoY) | 113 | 111 | 186 | 22 | 40.1% | 1.7 |
| Watertown Town | $869,425 (+1.7% YoY) | 110 | 109 | 184 | 22 | 38.4% | 1.7 |
| Reading | $949,372 (+7.5% YoY) | 106 | 72 | 119 | 20 | 62.2% | 0.9 |
| Acton | $869,425 (+1.3% YoY) | 104 | 85 | 141 | 20 | 61.5% | 1.5 |
| Malden | $679,550 (-3.3% YoY) | 99 | 120 | 177 | 21 | 53.7% | 2.3 |
| Melrose | $959,365 (+0.9% YoY) | 98 | 100 | 143 | 17 | 67.8% | 1.2 |
| Marlborough | $574,620 (-6.6% YoY) | 94 | 120 | 177 | 22 | 46.8% | 2.2 |
| Westford | $862,493 (-8.3% YoY) | 92 | 84 | 122 | 21 | 55.6% | 1.0 |
| Hopkinton | $1,155,235 (+16.6% YoY) | 92 | 84 | 139 | 21 | 50.1% | 1.8 |
| Sudbury | $1,199,206 (-5.0% YoY) | 91 | 73 | 128 | 22 | 46.1% | 1.4 |
| Dracut | $574,620 (+4.5% YoY) | 91 | 127 | 167 | 21 | 60.8% | 2.0 |
| Stoneham | $794,474 (+10.8% YoY) | 88 | 82 | 134 | 20 | 57.1% | 1.4 |
| Wilmington | $794,474 (+8.1% YoY) | 88 | 98 | 131 | 21 | 60.5% | 1.0 |
| Wakefield | $786,979 (-2.2% YoY) | 86 | 87 | 127 | 21 | 63.2% | 1.7 |
| North Reading | $870,671 (+13.1% YoY) | 82 | 84 | 122 | 20 | 48.8% | 1.6 |
| Winchester | $1,698,876 (+17.0% YoY) | 81 | 76 | 131 | 21 | 46.9% | 2.1 |
| Burlington | $889,411 (+3.4% YoY) | 73 | 76 | 109 | 20 | 56.4% | 1.8 |
| Hudson | $674,554 (+7.1% YoY) | 73 | 76 | 117 | 20 | 57.8% | 2.0 |
| Groton | $849,438 (+11.0% YoY) | 67 | 57 | 90 | 27 | 38.5% | 1.6 |
| Belmont | $1,421,559 (-3.3% YoY) | 66 | 75 | 134 | 19 | 62.6% | 1.9 |
| Everett | $744,507 (+6.4% YoY) | 66 | 80 | 136 | 26 | 46.9% | 2.4 |
| Ashland | $714,527 (+5.5% YoY) | 64 | 78 | 112 | 19 | 61.4% | 2.1 |
| Concord | $1,716,364 (+13.9% YoY) | 62 | 44 | 104 | 35 | 26.7% | 2.3 |
| Holliston | $744,507 (-1.2% YoY) | 61 | 50 | 77 | 20 | 57.7% | 1.6 |
| Wayland | $1,189,213 (+7.6% YoY) | 56 | 54 | 90 | 25 | 38.2% | 2.0 |
This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. County-level data is not seasonally adjusted. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.
