Washington D.C. Metro

May 2026 | 
Home Demand Index: 98 | 
Tier: Steady

Metro Area Overview

The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 98 for this report period, up from 95 last month but slightly below the 102 recorded during the same period one year ago. The three-point month-over-month increase reflects a modest uptick in buyer activity as the market continues to transition into the spring season. This gradual improvement indicates steady engagement rather than a sharp surge in demand. However, the four-point year-over-year gap suggests that activity remains just below last year’s pace. Overall, with demand holding within the Steady category, the market reflects stable conditions, with consistent buyer interest supporting a balanced and measured pace of activity as the season progresses.
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 Washington D.C. 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:
  • Maryland-West Virginia Panhandle – Allegany, MD; Berkeley, WV; Garrett, MD; Grant, WV; Hampshire, WV; Hardy, WV; Jefferson, WV; Mineral, WV; Morgan, WV; Pendleton, WV; Washington, MD;
  • North Central Virginia – Caroline, VA; Clarke, VA; Culpeper, VA; Fauquier, VA; Frederick, VA; Fredericksburg City, VA; King George, VA; Madison, VA; Manassas City, VA; Orange, VA; Page, VA; Prince William, VA; Rappahannock, VA; Shenandoah, VA; Spotsylvania, VA; Stafford, VA; Warren, VA; Winchester City, VA;
  • Southern Maryland – Calvert, MD; Charles, MD; Saint Marys, MD;
  • Washington D.C. Metro – Alexandria City, VA; Arlington, VA; Fairfax, VA; Falls Church City, VA; Frederick, MD; Loudoun, VA; Montgomery, MD; Prince Georges, MD; Washington, DC;

Washington D.C. | May 2026

Home Demand Index

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The Home Demand Index (HDI) for the Washington DC metro area stands at 98 for this report period, up from 95 last month but slightly below the 102 recorded during the same period one year ago. The three-point month-over-month increase reflects a modest uptick in buyer activity as the market continues to transition into the spring season. This gradual improvement indicates steady engagement rather than a sharp surge in demand. However, the four-point year-over-year gap suggests that activity remains just below last year’s pace. Overall, with demand holding within the Steady category, the market reflects stable conditions, with consistent buyer interest supporting a balanced and measured pace of activity as the season progresses.
Demand by home type in the Washington DC metro reflects mixed performance this period, with overall conditions showing uneven strength across price segments. Entry-level single-family homes stand at 85, indicating stable but constrained activity consistent with affordability pressures in the lower-tier market. Mid-range single-family homes rise to 90, reflecting improving momentum in the move-up segment and signaling one of the stronger areas of demand within the single-family category. Luxury single-family homes register 133, showing the most pronounced strength among single-family tiers and pointing to continued interest in higher-end properties despite broader market sensitivity. Entry-level condos stand at 115, reflecting moderated activity while still serving as a key affordability channel in the metro. Luxury condos at 125 show firmer engagement at the upper end of the condominium market, though demand remains uneven across segments. Townhouses and twin homes at 98 indicate broadly stable conditions with modest softness relative to other property types, highlighting a more measured pace in this middle-housing category.
Monthly Statistics for May 2026
Home Demand
Index
98
(Steady)
Home Demand Index
from prior month
95
Home Demand Index
from prior year
102
Index change
from prior month
3.2%
Index change from
same time last year
-3.9%
Bright MLS | T3 Home Demand Index

www.homedemandindex.com