One of the most important factors you need to consider when buying a home is its age. The age of a house impacts everything from its condition to its architectural style, yard size, and even your homeowners insurance. Unfortunately, in many cities, finding a home that’s the right age can be difficult or extremely expensive. To aid in your home search, we conducted a study on 150 cities to determine which have the oldest and newest homes. This article reviews the study’s results and discusses its findings.
Main Findings
- The cities with the most new houses are:
- Austin, TX (11.4%)
- Provo, UT (10.8%)
- Myrtle Beach, SC (10.0%)
- Boise, ID (8.9%)
- Raleigh, NC (8.7%)
- The cities that house the oldest homes are:
- Scranton, PA (33.4%)
- Boston, MA (32.1%)
- Providence, RI (29.6%)
- Springfield, MA (29.1%)
- Buffalo, NY (28.4%)
- Most cities with newer homes are located in Southern or Western states, with Texas holding five of the top 15 spots.
- Most cities with the oldest homes are in the Northeastern U.S., with New York holding five of the top 15 spots and Pennsylvania right behind with four.
Average Age of Homes in the U.S.
For this study, we gathered data from the U.S. Census Bureau on the year-built date of the homes for the top 150 most populated cities. We then used the percentage of homes built before 1940 as our metric for older homes and those built in 2014 or sooner for newer homes. In total, across all the cities we analyzed, the median build date for houses was 1974, meaning the average house on the market for most cities is just under 50 years old. Below, we’ll look at which cities have the oldest homes and which have the newest, and then present our full dataset.
Cities With the Most and Least New Homes
After analyzing the data, we found that the top five cities with the highest percentage of new homes are: Austin, TX, at 11.4% (over 90,000 homes), Provo, UT, at 10.8% (over 18,000 homes), Myrtle Beach, SC, at 10.0% (over 19,000 homes), Boise, ID, at 8.9% (just over 24,000 homes), and Raleigh, NC, at 8.7% (over 34,000 homes). We noticed some similarities between these cities: they’re all situated within the Sun Belt and experiencing some degree of economic boom. Utah, for example, has gained the nickname “Mini Silicon Valley” for its rapidly growing tech sector.
Following Raleigh, we have Charleston, SC, at 8.4%, Nashville, TN, at 8.3%, Houston, TX, at 8.1%, San Antonio, TX, at 7.5%, and Des Moines, IA, at 7.3%. As we can see, most of the cities with the newest homes still sit within the Sun Belt.
The final five spots are occupied by Fort Collins, CO, at 7.3%, Dallas, TX, at 7.1%, Naples, FL, at 7.1%, Fayetteville, AR, at 7.0%, and Killeen, TX, at 7.00%. We can see that Texas holds three cities within the top 10 and a total of five out of 15 cities with the newest homes. Considering the massive number of businesses moving into Texas and its favorable property tax laws, it should be no surprise that many new homes have been constructed there.
For the cities with the least number of new homes, we have:
- Rockford, IL, at 0.5%
- Youngstown, OH, at 0.8%
- Scranton, PA, at 1.0%
- Providence, RI, at 1.1%
- New Haven, CT, at 1.1%
- Modesto, CA, at 1.2%
- Flint, MI, at 1.2%
- Dayton, OH, at 1.2%
- Springfield, MA, at 1.3%
- Hartford, CT, at 1.4%
- Peoria, IL, at 1.4%
- Reading, PA, at 1.4%
- Hickory, NC, at 1.5%
- Canton, OH, at 1.5%
- Cleveland, OH, at 1.5%
This list has the highest diversity within the entire study. While many states still exist within the Rust Belt, the only state with a majority of locations is Ohio, with four spots. There are even several cities that, regionally speaking, stand out, specifically Modesto and Hickory. Both sit within states experiencing economic prosperity, making their position on this list surprising.
Cities With the Most And Least Older Homes
On the other end of the spectrum, we have cities with the highest number of older homes. Occupying the top five spots are Scranton, PA, at 33.4% (over 76,000 homes), Boston, MA, at 32.1 (over 595,000 homes), Providence, RI, at 29.6% (over 188,000 homes), Springfield, MA, at 29.1% (nearly 79,000 homes), and Buffalo, NY, at 28.4% (over 137,000). Unsurprisingly, the top five spots on this list are dominated by Legacy Cities. A Legacy City is a location that experienced a population boom in the first half of the 20th century, only to see a population decline as local industry lessened. These cities typically have some of the oldest homes in America, with plenty of them and less incentive to create new ones.
After Buffalo comes New York City at 27.9%, Worcester, MA, at 27.6%, Rochester, NY, at 26.5%, Reading, PA, at 25.8%, and Albany, NY, at 25.4%. As we get into the top 10, we can see some clear patterns developing. First, most of the states on this list are located in the Rust Belt, the only exception being Providence. Second, New York state occupies most of this list, with four out of 10 positions. New York’s prominence on this list is not surprising, as it is one of the oldest states in the U.S.
Rounding out our top 15 cities with the highest number of older homes are Pittsburg, PA, at 24.9%, Allentown, PA, at 24.5%, Syracuse, NY, at 24.1%, Davenport, IA, at 23.3%, and New Haven, CT, at 22.9%. The results show that the majority are located in the U.S.’s Northeastern region. New York still holds the most spots at five, with Pennsylvania right behind at four.
The cities with the least number of old homes are:
- Las Vegas, NV, at 0.4%
- Naples, FL, at 0.4%
- Anchorage, AK, at 0.5%
- Cape Coral, FL, at 0.6
- Palm Bay, FL, at 0.9%
- Phoenix, AZ, at 0.9%
- McAllen, TX, at 1.0%
- Myrtle Beach, SC, at 1.1%
- Ocala. FL, at 1.2%
- Port St. Lucie, FL, at 1.2%
- Orlando, FL, at 1.5%
- North Port, FL, at 1.6%
- Tallahassee, FL, at 1.8%
- Deltona, FL, at 1.8%
- Tucson, AZ, at 1.9%
Analyzing this data, we can see several patterns emerge. First, Florida holds the lion’s share of positions, accounting for eight of the 15 cities with the least number of old homes. Second, each city either belongs to the Southern coast or lies within the Sun Belt, except for Anchorage, Alaska, the only notable outlier.
Full Data
This table shows the results of our study. You can sort by city, state, percentage of oldest homes, and percentage of newest homes.
Cities | States | Oldest Homes % | Newest Homes % |
Austin | TX | 2.2% | 11.4% |
Provo | UT | 4.2% | 10.8% |
Myrtle Beach | SC | 1.1% | 10.0% |
Boise City | ID | 4.7% | 8.9% |
Raleigh | NC | 2.5% | 8.7% |
Charleston | SC | 3.3% | 8.4% |
Nashville | TN | 4.4% | 8.3% |
Houston | TX | 2.3% | 8.1% |
San Antonio | TX | 4.2% | 7.5% |
Des Moines | IA | 14.8% | 7.3% |
Fort Collins | CO | 5.1% | 7.3% |
Dallas | TX | 2.6% | 7.1% |
Naples | FL | 0.4% | 7.1% |
Fayetteville | AR | 3.1% | 7.0% |
Killeen | TX | 2.3% | 7.0% |
Charlotte | NC | 3.9% | 6.9% |
Durham | NC | 4.9% | 6.9% |
Salisbury | MD | 7.3% | 6.9% |
Orlando | FL | 1.5% | 6.7% |
Savannah | GA | 6.9% | 6.6% |
North Port | FL | 1.6% | 6.4% |
Jacksonville | FL | 3.6% | 6.3% |
Salt Lake City | UT | 7.4% | 6.3% |
McAllen | TX | 1.0% | 6.3% |
Greenville | SC | 4.0% | 5.9% |
Baton Rouge | LA | 3.6% | 5.9% |
El Paso | TX | 4.2% | 5.9% |
Huntsville | AL | 2.1% | 5.7% |
Denver | CO | 6.3% | 5.6% |
Lincoln | NE | 13.8% | 5.5% |
Seattle | WA | 9.8% | 5.4% |
Oklahoma City | OK | 5.8% | 5.4% |
Lakeland | FL | 3.2% | 5.4% |
Columbia | SC | 3.3% | 5.3% |
Augusta | GA | 4.4% | 5.2% |
Ogden | UT | 6.4% | 5.2% |
Cape Coral | FL | 0.6% | 5.1% |
Little Rock | AR | 3.5% | 5.1% |
Lafayette | LA | 4.6% | 5.1% |
Corpus Christi | TX | 3.0% | 5.1% |
Las Vegas | NV | 0.4% | 5.0% |
Madison | WI | 13.6% | 5.0% |
Reno | NV | 2.4% | 5.0% |
Atlanta | GA | 2.7% | 4.9% |
Colorado Springs | CO | 4.9% | 4.8% |
Pensacola | FL | 2.6% | 4.8% |
Phoenix | AZ | 0.9% | 4.7% |
Portland | OR | 11.8% | 4.7% |
Tulsa | OK | 6.2% | 4.5% |
Indianapolis | IN | 11.5% | 4.4% |
Tampa | FL | 2.5% | 4.3% |
Omaha | NE | 16.1% | 4.2% |
Asheville | NC | 8.6% | 4.2% |
Beaumont | TX | 3.6% | 4.2% |
Washington | DC | 8.0% | 4.1% |
Spokane | WA | 13.5% | 4.1% |
Richmond | VA | 8.4% | 4.0% |
Knoxville | TN | 6.1% | 3.9% |
Lexington | KY | 7.0% | 3.9% |
Fayetteville | NC | 2.3% | 3.9% |
Port St. Lucie | FL | 1.2% | 3.9% |
Chattanooga | TN | 6.9% | 3.8% |
Columbus | OH | 11.5% | 3.7% |
Virginia Beach | VA | 5.4% | 3.7% |
San Jose | CA | 4.9% | 3.7% |
Montgomery | AL | 4.2% | 3.7% |
Minneapolis | MN | 13.6% | 3.6% |
Greensboro | NC | 5.4% | 3.6% |
Visalia | CA | 5.4% | 3.6% |
Springfield | MO | 8.1% | 3.5% |
Shreveport | LA | 4.2% | 3.5% |
Kansas City | MO | 11.0% | 3.4% |
Grand Rapids | MI | 14.8% | 3.4% |
Jackson | MS | 3.0% | 3.4% |
Birmingham | AL | 6.5% | 3.3% |
Winston-Salem | NC | 5.8% | 3.3% |
Louisville County | KY | 11.7% | 3.2% |
Bakersfield | CA | 4.1% | 3.2% |
Palm Bay | FL | 0.9% | 3.2% |
Salem | OR | 7.7% | 3.2% |
Fresno | CA | 5.5% | 3.1% |
Wichita | KS | 10.3% | 3.1% |
Stockton | CA | 6.7% | 3.1% |
Gulfport | MS | 2.9% | 3.1% |
Baltimore | MD | 13.6% | 3.0% |
Deltona | FL | 1.8% | 3.0% |
Lancaster | PA | 20.0% | 3.0% |
Eugene | OR | 6.9% | 3.0% |
Miami | FL | 2.1% | 2.9% |
Memphis | TN | 4.7% | 2.9% |
Tucson | AZ | 1.9% | 2.9% |
Albany | NY | 25.4% | 2.9% |
Urban Honolulu | HI | 3.2% | 2.9% |
Portland | ME | 22.5% | 2.9% |
Riverside | CA | 2.8% | 2.8% |
Ocala | FL | 1.2% | 2.8% |
Boston | MA | 32.1% | 2.7% |
Tallahassee | FL | 1.8% | 2.7% |
Albuquerque | NM | 3.0% | 2.6% |
Vallejo | CA | 5.1% | 2.6% |
St. Louis | MO | 15.1% | 2.5% |
Cincinnati | OH | 16.2% | 2.5% |
Sacramento | CA | 4.2% | 2.5% |
San Diego | CA | 4.2% | 2.4% |
Bridgeport | CT | 19.5% | 2.4% |
Harrisburg | PA | 18.0% | 2.4% |
Fort Wayne | IN | 13.5% | 2.4% |
Ann Arbor | MI | 11.4% | 2.4% |
Anchorage | AK | 0.5% | 2.4% |
New Orleans | LA | 11.5% | 2.3% |
Mobile | AL | 4.1% | 2.2% |
Lansing | MI | 16.2% | 2.1% |
York | PA | 18.1% | 2.1% |
Manchester | NH | 18.3% | 2.1% |
Philadelphia | PA | 20.8% | 2.0% |
San Francisco | CA | 19.1% | 2.0% |
Huntington | WV | 10.7% | 2.0% |
Pittsburgh | PA | 24.9% | 1.9% |
Milwaukee | WI | 21.4% | 1.9% |
Allentown | PA | 24.5% | 1.9% |
Santa Maria | CA | 7.7% | 1.9% |
Los Angeles | CA | 11.6% | 1.8% |
Toledo | OH | 22.4% | 1.8% |
Poughkeepsie | NY | 19.5% | 1.8% |
New York | NY | 27.9% | 1.7% |
Detroit | MI | 11.3% | 1.7% |
Rochester | NY | 26.5% | 1.7% |
Santa Rosa | CA | 7.8% | 1.7% |
Davenport | IA | 23.3% | 1.7% |
Chicago | IL | 19.6% | 1.6% |
Buffalo | NY | 28.4% | 1.6% |
Worcester | MA | 27.6% | 1.6% |
Akron | OH | 17.7% | 1.6% |
Oxnard | CA | 3.4% | 1.6% |
Cleveland | OH | 21.6% | 1.5% |
Syracuse | NY | 24.1% | 1.5% |
Canton | OH | 20.0% | 1.5% |
Hickory | NC | 5.3% | 1.5% |
Hartford | CT | 18.1% | 1.4% |
Peoria | IL | 19.8% | 1.4% |
Reading | PA | 25.8% | 1.4% |
Springfield | MA | 29.1% | 1.3% |
Dayton | OH | 14.9% | 1.2% |
Modesto | CA | 5.9% | 1.2% |
Flint | MI | 10.8% | 1.2% |
Providence | RI | 29.6% | 1.1% |
New Haven | CT | 22.9% | 1.1% |
Scranton | PA | 33.4% | 1.0% |
Youngstown | OH | 19.1% | 0.8% |
Rockford | IL | 14.3% | 0.5% |
Final Thoughts
Cities with booming economies, typically in the Southern or Western regions, are experiencing tremendous growth. This expansion has resulted in more homes being built, making these cities climb to the top of the list for newer homes. Conversely, cities that have already experienced tremendous growth in the past, like those in the Rust Belt, already have plenty of housing from their previous economic boom. If you’re looking for newly constructed homes, try searching in cities along the Sun Belt. But, if you prefer an older, cheaper home, the Rust Belt has plenty available.
One interesting observation is that Texas and New York have several parallels. Both occupy five top 15 positions for the number of newest and oldest homes, respectively. Furthermore, both states hold the top spots for the highest total number of new homes (Texas) and old homes (New York).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Average American Home Age by State?
The average age of a typical American home is about 35 years old.
What Costs More, an Older Home or a Newer Home?
Multiple factors can affect the cost of a home, such as location and size. But, new homes are typically more expensive than older homes.
Is There an Advantage to a Newer Home Over an Older Home?
There are advantages to both newer and older homes. Newer homes are usually in better condition than older homes and have more up-to-date systems and construction. Older homes typically have a unique appearance, historic value, are cheaper, and come with larger lot sizes.
Methodology
To find the cities with the oldest and newest homes, we analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau. For this study, we defined “old homes” as any house built before 1940, and anything built in 2014 or later as “new homes”. We researched over 900 cities within the United States and analyzed the top 150 (based on total homes) for our study.
