Key Takeaways
- Plymouth County home prices surged 6.5% year over year to $702,648 in August—the second-strongest gain among Greater Boston’s core counties—as the South Shore continued to attract buyers priced out of more expensive suburbs.
- Sales rose 5% year over year while pending sales held flat, suggesting demand fundamentals remain solid even as inventory expanded 15% and months of supply climbed to 2.2.
- Nearly 48% of homes sold above list price and the median time on market was 26 days, reflecting a market where sellers retain meaningful leverage despite rising supply.
Plymouth County, MA Housing Market Snapshot
| Median Sale Price | Pending Sales | Active Listings | Days on Market | Sold Above List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $702,648 (+6.5% YoY) | 618 (+0.2% YoY) | 1,953 (+14.7% YoY) | 26 days (+4 days YoY) | 48.1% (-0.6 ppt YoY) |
Plymouth County continued its run as one of Greater Boston’s most dynamic markets in August. Prices surged at more than triple the national rate, sales volume grew while most surrounding counties saw declines, and nearly half of all homes sold above asking. The South Shore’s relative affordability—at $703,000, the lowest median among the four counties profiled here—continued to draw buyers migrating from Middlesex and Norfolk counties, sustaining demand even as inventory expanded at a healthy clip.
Below is a breakdown of Plymouth 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 2%, pending sales declined about 1%, and homes sat on market for 50 days. Plymouth County stood out as the strongest demand story among the four Greater Boston counties: prices climbed at triple the national rate, sales grew 5% while the nation contracted, and homes sold in 26 days. The South Shore’s relative affordability at $703,000—roughly half the cost of Suffolk County—continued to make it a magnet for buyers seeking value without sacrificing proximity to Boston.
“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.”
Plymouth County Prices Surged 6.5% as Affordability Drew Buyers South
The typical home in Plymouth County sold for $702,648 in August—up 6.5% year over year, more than triple the national 2.0% gain. Price per square foot climbed 4.8% to $381, the strongest per-square-foot growth among the four counties, confirming that appreciation was broad-based rather than driven by a shift in the mix of homes selling. The average home sold for about 1% above its list price.
Plymouth County’s price jump reflected the ongoing migration of buyers from higher-cost counties. At $703,000, the median remained roughly $85,000 below Norfolk County and $145,000 below Middlesex, making it an accessible alternative for families seeking suburban space within commuting distance of Boston. About 21% of active listings carried a price reduction—the highest among the four counties—but this likely reflected aggressive initial pricing rather than broad weakness.
Sales Volume Grew 5% Even as Other Counties Contracted
Homes sold rose 5% year over year to 602 in August, while pending sales held essentially flat at 618 (+0.2%)—making Plymouth County the only one of the four Greater Boston counties to post positive sales growth. The median home went under contract in 26 days, up 4 days from a year earlier. About 48% of homes closed above asking, down marginally from a year ago.
Nationally, pending sales fell about 1% and homes sat on market for 50 days. Plymouth County’s 26-day pace was significantly faster than the national norm, though slower than the sub-24-day readings in neighboring Norfolk and Middlesex counties. The 5% sales growth, coming against a backdrop of declining volume elsewhere in Greater Boston, underscored the county’s appeal to value-conscious buyers.
Inventory Grew at a Moderate Pace Compared to Neighboring Counties
Active listings rose about 15% year over year to 1,953 in August, while new listings climbed 16% to 650. The pace of inventory growth was mild, reflecting a market where demand has kept pace with new supply more effectively. Months of supply stood at 2.2, up from a year ago but still well below the national figure of about 4.
Nationally, active listings rose about 3% and new listings climbed about 6%. Plymouth County’s 15% increase, while more modest than the 20%+ jumps in Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties, still represented a meaningful shift from the historically tight conditions that defined 2023-2024. The supply pipeline should give buyers more options heading into fall without undermining the seller’s advantage.
High Tier Volume Surged 14%; Starter Homes Stayed Hot
| Price Tier | Median Price (YoY) | Sold (YoY) | DOM (YoY) | % Above List (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury (top 5%) | $2,670,000 (+3.0%) | 46 (+2.2%) | 36 days (+8 days) | 17.4% (-11.5 ppt) |
| High (65th-95th%) | $1,151,300 (-0.2%) | 395 (+14.2%) | 20 days (-1 days) | 49.9% (+1.6 ppt) |
| Non-luxury (35th-65th%) | $741,948 (+2.8%) | 516 (+7.7%) | 22 days (+1 days) | 53.1% (-0.8 ppt) |
| Starter (5th-35th%) | $520,647 (+3.3%) | 685 (+6.7%) | 21 days (+0 days) | 58.7% (+0.9 ppt) |
| Bottom (bottom 5%) | $290,641 (+2.2%) | 80 (+1.3%) | 23 days (-2 days) | 37.5% (+7.1 ppt) |
Redfin analysis of MLS data • Rolling three-month period (May-July 2026)
The high tier ($1.15M median) saw the strongest volume growth at 14.2% year over year, even as prices dipped fractionally (-0.2%). Above-list activity rose 1.6 percentage points in this segment, suggesting that buyers on the South Shore are competing aggressively for premium properties. The luxury tier ($2.67M median) appreciated 3% but saw days on market spike 8 days to 36.
The starter tier ($521K median, +3.3%) remained the most competitive non-luxury segment, with nearly 59% of homes selling above asking and volume up 6.7%. The bottom tier saw modest volume growth (+1.3%) and price gains (+2.2%), with above-list activity jumping 7 percentage points.
How Buyers and Sellers Can Navigate Plymouth County’s Market
If you’re buying in Plymouth County, August’s data points to a strong seller’s market with growing options. The median home sold in 26 days, about 48% closed above asking, and prices rose a robust 6.5% year over year. The South Shore remains one of Greater Boston’s most affordable corridors, and the 15% increase in active listings gives you more selection than at any point since 2019. This is especially true in communities like Brockton, Rockland, and East Bridgewater, where prices remain below $600,000.
If you’re selling, Plymouth County offers one of the best seller’s environments in the region. Sales volume grew 5%—the only positive reading among the four counties—prices jumped 6.5%, and 48% of homes still closed above asking. However, the 21% price-drop rate is the highest among the region’s counties, signaling that overpriced listings face swift correction. Price within 2-3% of recent comps to attract competitive offers quickly, and consider the fall window before seasonal demand softens.
Plymouth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | $724,521 (+4.6% YoY) | 349 | 364 | 600 | 27 | 41.8% | 2.1 |
| Brockton | $534,646 (+2.8% YoY) | 212 | 258 | 399 | 23 | 65.3% | 2.4 |
| Marshfield | $817,959 (-6.0% YoY) | 117 | 99 | 154 | 20 | 53.6% | 1.5 |
| Wareham | $498,670 (-2.2% YoY) | 106 | 111 | 191 | 28 | 51.5% | 2.1 |
| Bridgewater Town | $624,587 (+2.8% YoY) | 88 | 112 | 159 | 22 | 46.6% | 1.9 |
| Rockland | $599,603 (+9.0% YoY) | 81 | 65 | 101 | 22 | 67.2% | 1.0 |
| Middleborough | $554,633 (-16.3% YoY) | 69 | 90 | 118 | 26 | 46.3% | 2.0 |
| Duxbury | $1,240,679 (-0.2% YoY) | 64 | 60 | 105 | 21 | 48.5% | 1.7 |
| Norwell | $949,372 (-19.2% YoY) | 56 | 53 | 83 | 20 | 52.8% | 1.6 |
| Hull | $744,507 (+29.5% YoY) | 54 | 66 | 118 | 43 | 17.0% | 3.3 |
| Pembroke | $635,080 (-1.9% YoY) | 53 | 76 | 100 | 20 | 57.8% | 1.8 |
| Abington | $594,606 (+0.1% YoY) | 52 | 47 | 70 | 23 | 53.0% | 1.7 |
| Hanover | $911,897 (+10.5% YoY) | 51 | 61 | 76 | 20 | 66.1% | 2.0 |
| East Bridgewater | $586,112 (+3.7% YoY) | 51 | 54 | 75 | 21 | 64.1% | 1.4 |
| The Pinehills | $938,379 (-1.4% YoY) | 50 | 60 | 110 | 44 | 20.4% | 3.5 |
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.
