Housing Inventory by State 2026

Complete data on active listings, months of supply, and year-over-year changes for all 50 states

Housing inventory is one of the most critical metrics for understanding the U.S. real estate market. Whether you are a buyer looking for leverage in negotiations or a seller assessing competition, knowing the number of active listings in your state helps you make informed decisions.

This comprehensive guide provides current housing inventory data for all 50 states, historical trends since 2017, and analysis of how each state compares to pre-pandemic levels.

National Housing Inventory Overview

January 2026 Active Listings

912,696

+10.0% YoY

Months of Supply

3.7

Balanced market range (4-6)

Historical Inventory: January 2017 to January 2026

Year Active Listings Months of Supply vs. Prior Year
2017 1,154,120 4.2
2018 1,043,951 3.8 -9.5%
2019 1,110,636 3.9 + 6.4%
2020 951,675 3.5 -14.3%
2021 531,775 1.9 -44.1%
2022 376,970 1.6 -29.1%
2023 616,865 2.8 + 63.6%
2024 665,569 3.1 + 7.9%
2025 829,376 3.5 + 24.6%
2026 912,696 3.7 + 10.0%

Source: Realtor.com data via ResiClub Analytics

Key Insight

While inventory is up 10% year-over-year, we remain 17.8% below January 2019 pre-pandemic levels. The pace of inventory growth has slowed in recent months as market softening stabilizes.

States Above Pre-Pandemic Inventory Levels

Nine states have surpassed their January 2019 active listing counts. These markets tend to have more buyer-friendly conditions.

State YoY Change vs. Jan 2019 Months Supply
Texas +8.2% +12.5% 3.8
Florida +15.3% +8.2% 4.2
North Carolina +9.5% +2.1% 3.4
Georgia +11.2% +5.8% 3.6
Washington +7.2% +3.2% 2.7
Arizona +12.8% +18.5% 3.9
Tennessee +10.5% +15.2% 3.7
Colorado +8.9% +6.8% 3.1
South Carolina +13.2% +22.4% 4
Alabama +7.8% +8.5% 3.5
Oklahoma +8.1% +4.2% 3.4
Mississippi +6.2% +1.2% 4.2
Arkansas +5.8% +6.5% 3.3
Utah +9.8% +28.5% 3.5
Nevada +11.5% +12.8% 3.7
New Mexico +7.2% +8.5% 4.1
Nebraska +4.2% +5.2% 2.4
Idaho +14.5% +42.8% 4.8
Montana +8.5% +25.8% 4.2
North Dakota +2.5% +1.2% 2.1
Wyoming +6.5% +12.5% 3.6

Top 10 States by Inventory Growth

These states saw the largest year-over-year increases in active listings, giving buyers the most options.

Rank State YoY Growth vs. 2019 Months Supply
1 Florida +15.3% +8.2% 4.2
2 Idaho +14.5% +42.8% 4.8
3 South Carolina +13.2% +22.4% 4
4 Arizona +12.8% +18.5% 3.9
5 Nevada +11.5% +12.8% 3.7
6 Georgia +11.2% +5.8% 3.6
7 Tennessee +10.5% +15.2% 3.7
8 Utah +9.8% +28.5% 3.5
9 North Carolina +9.5% +2.1% 3.4
10 Colorado +8.9% +6.8% 3.1

Tightest Housing Markets (Lowest Months of Supply)

These states have the lowest months of supply, indicating strong seller leverage and competitive buyer conditions.

Rank State Months Supply YoY Change vs. 2019
1 North Dakota 2.1 +2.5% 1.2%
2 Iowa 2.2 +2.5% -9.8%
3 Minnesota 2.3 +3.6% -16.2%
4 South Dakota 2.3 +3.2% -2.5%
5 Wisconsin 2.4 +2.8% -14.5%
6 Nebraska 2.4 +4.2% 5.2%
7 Massachusetts 2.5 +3.5% -32.1%
8 Kansas 2.5 +3.5% -5.8%
9 Indiana 2.6 +4.1% -8.9%
10 New Hampshire 2.6 +3.8% -22.5%

Complete State-by-State Housing Inventory Data

State YoY Change vs. Jan 2019 Months Supply Market Type
Texas +8.2% +12.5% 3.8 Seller's Market
Florida +15.3% +8.2% 4.2 Balanced
California +3.1% -22.4% 2.9 Seller's Market
New York +5.8% -28.1% 4.5 Balanced
Pennsylvania +4.2% -15.3% 3.2 Seller's Market
Illinois +6.1% -21.8% 3.5 Seller's Market
Ohio +3.8% -12.6% 2.8 Seller's Market
North Carolina +9.5% +2.1% 3.4 Seller's Market
Georgia +11.2% +5.8% 3.6 Seller's Market
Michigan +2.9% -18.2% 3.1 Seller's Market
New Jersey +4.5% -25.6% 4.1 Balanced
Virginia +6.8% -8.4% 3.3 Seller's Market
Washington +7.2% +3.2% 2.7 Seller's Market
Arizona +12.8% +18.5% 3.9 Seller's Market
Massachusetts +3.5% -32.1% 2.5 Seller's Market
Tennessee +10.5% +15.2% 3.7 Seller's Market
Indiana +4.1% -8.9% 2.6 Seller's Market
Missouri +3.2% -11.2% 2.9 Seller's Market
Maryland +5.5% -19.8% 3.4 Seller's Market
Wisconsin +2.8% -14.5% 2.4 Seller's Market
Colorado +8.9% +6.8% 3.1 Seller's Market
Minnesota +3.6% -16.2% 2.3 Seller's Market
South Carolina +13.2% +22.4% 4 Balanced
Alabama +7.8% +8.5% 3.5 Seller's Market
Louisiana +5.2% -2.1% 4.8 Balanced
Kentucky +4.8% -6.5% 3 Seller's Market
Oregon +6.5% -5.2% 2.8 Seller's Market
Oklahoma +8.1% +4.2% 3.4 Seller's Market
Connecticut +3.9% -24.8% 3.8 Seller's Market
Iowa +2.5% -9.8% 2.2 Seller's Market
Mississippi +6.2% +1.2% 4.2 Balanced
Arkansas +5.8% +6.5% 3.3 Seller's Market
Utah +9.8% +28.5% 3.5 Seller's Market
Nevada +11.5% +12.8% 3.7 Seller's Market
Kansas +3.5% -5.8% 2.5 Seller's Market
New Mexico +7.2% +8.5% 4.1 Balanced
Nebraska +4.2% +5.2% 2.4 Seller's Market
West Virginia +2.1% -3.5% 4.5 Balanced
Idaho +14.5% +42.8% 4.8 Balanced
Hawaii +2.8% -35.2% 3.2 Seller's Market
Maine +4.5% -18.5% 3.1 Seller's Market
Montana +8.5% +25.8% 4.2 Balanced
New Hampshire +3.8% -22.5% 2.6 Seller's Market
Rhode Island +4.1% -26.8% 3.5 Seller's Market
Delaware +5.8% -12.5% 3.9 Seller's Market
South Dakota +3.2% -2.5% 2.3 Seller's Market
North Dakota +2.5% +1.2% 2.1 Seller's Market
Alaska +1.8% -8.5% 3.8 Seller's Market
Vermont +3.2% -15.8% 2.8 Seller's Market
Wyoming +6.5% +12.5% 3.6 Seller's Market

Factors Affecting Housing Inventory

The Lock-In Effect

Homeowners with mortgage rates below 5% are reluctant to sell and lose their low rate, keeping inventory constrained. This affects markets with high homeownership rates and older mortgages.

New Construction

The Sun Belt has seen significant new home construction, adding to inventory. The Midwest and Northeast have less new development, keeping overall supply tighter.

Geographic Constraints

States like California, Hawaii, and mountainous regions have limited land for development, constraining inventory regardless of demand.

Seasonal Patterns

Inventory typically peaks in late spring and summer, then declines through winter. Florida and Sun Belt states see different seasonal patterns due to climate and migration.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers

  • National inventory is up 10% year-over-year, giving buyers more choices
  • Sun Belt states (Florida, Texas, Arizona) offer the most selection
  • Northeast and Midwest markets remain competitive with limited supply
  • Consider new construction in markets with high inventory

For Sellers

  • Tight inventory in Northeast gives sellers strong leverage
  • Price competitively in high-inventory Sun Belt markets
  • Spring and early summer remain the best selling seasons
  • Staging and pricing right are critical in competitive markets

Cite This Data

If you use this data in your research, please cite:

Real Estate Agent Near Me. "Housing Inventory by State 2026." realestateagentnearme.com/housing-inventory-by-state. Accessed February 17, 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is housing inventory?

Housing inventory refers to the total number of active listings for sale in a given market at a specific time. It represents the supply side of the housing market and is a key indicator of whether it is a buyer's or seller's market.

How is months of supply calculated?

Months of supply is calculated by dividing the current number of active listings by the number of homes sold in the previous month. For example, if there are 100 homes for sale and 5 homes sold last month, the months of supply is 20 months.

What is a balanced housing market?

A balanced housing market typically has 4 to 6 months of supply. In this range, neither buyers nor sellers have significant leverage. Below 4 months tends to favor sellers, while above 6 months favors buyers.

Why is housing inventory so low in some states?

Several factors contribute to low inventory: limited new construction, aging housing stock, homeowners with low mortgage rates who are reluctant to sell (lock-in effect), and geographic constraints in states like California and Hawaii.

How has housing inventory changed since 2019?

Nationally, housing inventory is still about 18% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. However, some Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona have surpassed their 2019 inventory levels, while Northeast and Midwest markets remain tighter.

What does rising inventory mean for home prices?

Rising inventory typically signals a shift toward a buyer's market, which can lead to slower price growth or price reductions. Conversely, falling inventory often drives prices up as competition among buyers increases.