January 2026 Report
Baltimore Metro
Baltimore | January 2026
Home Demand Index
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
Index
55
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
73
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
57
Index change
from prior month
from prior month
-24.7%
Index change from
same time last year
same time last year
-3.5%
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Home Demand Index | Historical Year-over-Year Comparison
Over the past 12 months, the line chart for Baltimore’s Home Demand Index shows demand cycling from stronger conditions earlier in the year into a clear downtrend, culminating in the current reading of 55. The drop from 73 last month, combined with a level now below the 57 recorded at the same point a year ago, underscores a notable loss of momentum. Overall, the trajectory suggests the market has transitioned from last year’s recovery phase into a softer environment where affordability constraints and cautious buyer sentiment dominate.
Home Demand Index
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Home Demand Map
Regional demand across the Baltimore metro appears broadly subdued this period, though the familiar pattern of stronger suburbs and a softer urban core remains evident on the map. Howard and Baltimore counties likely continues to outperform, while Harford, Anne Arundel and Carroll counties track closer to the metro-wide Home Demand Index of 55, operating in generally slow but steadier ranges. Baltimore City remain the softest pockets of the market, reflecting ongoing affordability friction, heightened rate sensitivity, and more cautious buyer sentiment in denser or less differentiating neighborhoods.
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Demand and Inventory by Home Type
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.
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Single Family Home Below $370k
The index for entry-level single-family homes in Baltimore is 55 this report period, down from 63 last month and below last year’s level of 60. The month-over-month decline signals reduced short-term buyer activity in the most affordable detached segment. With demand now trailing its year-ago reading, this segment appears to be shifting further into a limited-demand range as affordability pressures persist.
Monthly Statistics for Single Family Home Below $370k
Home Demand
Index
Index
55
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
63
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
60
Months of
inventory
inventory
2.2
Average daily inventory last month
683
Inventory sold
last month
last month
307
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Single Family Home $370k - $845k
For mid-range single-family homes, the index registered 51 this month, down sharply from 71 last month and nearly in line with last year’s reading of 52. The significant month-over-month drop points to a meaningful pullback in move-up buyer activity. Year-over-year, demand is essentially flat, suggesting this segment is stabilizing at a softer baseline rather than rebounding.
Monthly Statistics for Single Family Home $370k - $845k
Home Demand
Index
Index
51
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
71
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
52
Months of
Inventory
Inventory
1.9
Average daily inventory last month
1,377
Inventory sold
last month
last month
718
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Single Family Home Above $845k
In the luxury single-family segment, the index stood at 42 this report period, down from 72 last month but above last year’s level of 36. The steep month-over-month decline indicates high-end buyers are stepping back more aggressively in the near term. Despite the pullback, the year-over-year increase suggests luxury demand remains structurally healthier than it was in early 2025, albeit increasingly cautious.
Monthly Statistics for Single Family Home Above $845k
Home Demand
Index
Index
42
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
72
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
36
Months of
Inventory
Inventory
2.3
Average daily inventory last month
404
Inventory sold
last month
last month
179
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Condo Below $407k
The index for entry-level condos in Baltimore stands at 72 this report period, down from 88 last month and roughly in line with last year’s level of 73. The month-over-month decline reflects easing buyer urgency in the lower-priced condo segment following earlier strength. With demand holding steady year-over-year, entry-level condos continue to serve as a relative affordability outlet despite broader market cooling.
Monthly Statistics for Condo Below $407k
Home Demand
Index
Index
72
(Slow)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
88
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
73
Months of
Inventory
Inventory
3.2
Average daily inventory last month
435
Inventory sold
last month
last month
134
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Condo Above $407k
Luxury condos in Baltimore posted an index of 74 this report period, falling sharply from 118 last month and slightly below last year’s level of 77. This pronounced month-over-month drop signals a rapid cooling in high-end condo demand after a period of elevated activity. The modest year-over-year decline suggests buyer interest remains present but is becoming more selective as market conditions soften.
Monthly Statistics for Condo Above $407k
Home Demand
Index
Index
74
(Slow)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
118
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
77
Months of
Inventory
Inventory
3.6
Average daily inventory last month
130
Inventory sold
last month
last month
36
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Baltimore | January 2026
Townhouse/Rowhouse/Twin All prices
Townhouse/
Rowhouse/Twin
All prices
The index for townhouses, rowhouses, and twin homes in Baltimore stood at 59 this month, down from 79 last month and below last year’s reading of 63. The sizable month-over-month decline points to softer near-term demand for attached single-family options. With demand also trailing last year, this segment is settling into a slower, more seasonal pace as buyers reassess affordability and financing conditions.
Monthly Statistics for Townhouse/Rowhouse/TwinAll prices
Home Demand
Index
Index
59
(Limited)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
from prior month
79
Home Demand Index
from prior year
from prior year
63
Months of
Inventory
Inventory
3.1
Average daily inventory last month
2,923
Inventory sold
last month
last month
933
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com
Note
1. This report is generated with data from the following counties:
- 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;
2. This report is for the January 2026 period with data collected from the previous month.
Released: January 11, 2026
Reference ID: 2360
Baltimore | January 2026
Home Demand Map (Zip Codes)
Regional demand across the Baltimore metro appears broadly subdued this period, though the familiar pattern of stronger suburbs and a softer urban core remains evident on the map. Howard and Baltimore counties likely continues to outperform, while Harford, Anne Arundel and Carroll counties track closer to the metro-wide Home Demand Index of 55, operating in generally slow but steadier ranges. Baltimore City remain the softest pockets of the market, reflecting ongoing affordability friction, heightened rate sensitivity, and more cautious buyer sentiment in denser or less differentiating neighborhoods.
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index
www.homedemandindex.com