Baltimore Metro

January 2026 | 
Home Demand Index: 55 | 
Tier: Limited

Metro Area Overview

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Baltimore metro area stands at 55 in this report period, down from 73 last month and slightly below the 57 reading recorded one year ago. This latest move reinforces that the market is operating in a subdued demand environment, with buyer activity clearly weaker than both recent and prior-year benchmarks. The combination of a sharp month‑over‑month decline and a modest year‑over‑year shortfall points to affordability pressures and rate sensitivity weighing on purchasing decisions, with more households delaying moves or narrowing their search criteria.
The market trend line, below, provides a high-level monthly overview of the Home Demand Index for each of the metro market areas within the Greater Baltimore Metro Area. The Home Demand Index is baselined at 100, with 90-110 indicating a steady market. Index values above 110 indicate moderate and high activity while Index values below 90 indicate slower or limited activity. For more information for a given period of time, click on any point on the map to pull up the monthly report.
Metro Market Trend Data by Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
Each of the market areas listed above are defined as follows:
  • Baltimore Metro – Anne Arundel, MD; Baltimore City, MD; Baltimore, MD; Carroll, MD; Harford, MD; Howard, MD;
  • DelMar Coastal – Somerset, MD; Sussex, DE; Wicomico, MD; Worcester, MD;
  • Maryland Eastern Shore – Caroline, MD; Cecil, MD; Dorchester, MD; Kent, MD; Queen Annes, MD; Talbot, MD;

Baltimore | January 2026

Home Demand Index

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The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Baltimore metro area stands at 55 in this report period, down from 73 last month and slightly below the 57 reading recorded one year ago. This latest move reinforces that the market is operating in a subdued demand environment, with buyer activity clearly weaker than both recent and prior-year benchmarks. The combination of a sharp month‑over‑month decline and a modest year‑over‑year shortfall points to affordability pressures and rate sensitivity weighing on purchasing decisions, with more households delaying moves or narrowing their search criteria.
The comparative chart for Baltimore shows that the decline in the overall Home Demand Index to 55 is being felt across all home types, with demand generally cooler than in recent periods but not uniformly weak. Entry-level single-family homes remain under the greatest pressure as first-time and value-oriented buyers confront tighter affordability and limited listings, while mid-range single-family homes show moderating but comparatively more resilient activity from established move-up households. Luxury single-family demand has also eased from prior highs, yet affluent buyers and cash purchasers continue to provide a measure of support that keeps this tier healthier than the entry segment. On the attached side, entry-level condos and luxury condos still tend to outperform detached product, with the former serving as an affordability alternative and the latter benefiting from lifestyle and amenity-driven demand, even if both have softened from earlier peaks. Townhouses, rowhouses, and twin homes show mild cooling consistent with the broader market, but their price-to-space value proposition and desirable locations help maintain a stable base of interest.
Monthly Statistics for January 2026
Home Demand
Index
55
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
73
Home Demand Index
from prior year
57
Index change
from prior month
-24.7%
Index change from
same time last year
-3.5%
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com