Home prices in 1981: US median, states and today's value
In 1981, the median price for a new US house was $68,950, according to Census and HUD. That equals about $255,507 in September 2026 dollars. Since then the FHFA house price index has multiplied about 6.7 times, and the typical US home is worth $366,157 in September 2026 (Zillow).
- New house median sale price in 1981
- $68,950Sources: Census and HUD.
- September 2026 dollars
- $255,507. Adjusted using CPI-U.
Median and average house price in 1981
The median new house price in 1981 was $68,950, while the average was $83,175. The average was 21% higher because a few costly houses raise it. The FHFA index showed steady growth in 1981, with a yearly change of +4.4%.
| Year | Median new house | Average new house | FHFA index, change on the year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | $44,225 | $48,050 | +7.2% |
| 1977 | $48,900 | $54,350 | +12.0% |
| 1978 | $55,850 | $62,700 | +13.9% |
| 1979 | $62,750 | $71,900 | +13.7% |
| 1980 | $64,750 | $76,375 | +7.9% |
| 1981 | $68,950 | $83,175 | +4.4% |
| 1982 | $69,225 | $83,850 | +1.0% |
| 1983 | $75,375 | $89,775 | +7.2% |
| 1984 | $79,950 | $97,550 | +4.5% |
| 1985 | $84,275 | $100,825 | +5.1% |
| 1986 | $92,025 | $112,075 | +6.8% |
New houses sold each year, per the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD (FRED MSPUS, ASPUS). Yearly average of the FHFA all-transactions index. For more on the two measures: average home price in America, median home price.
Home prices in 1981 by state
Since 1981, the FHFA index has recorded its largest rise in Hawaii, at +1073%, and its smallest in Louisiana, at +247%. During 1981, the FHFA index declined in 12 states. Hawaii had the deepest drop, at −18.3%.
| State | Typical value, September 2026 | FHFA change in 1981 | FHFA change since 1981 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $238,614 | +2.5% | +409% |
| Alaska | $397,932 | +16.3% | +348% |
| Arizona | $416,733 | +7.7% | +559% |
| Arkansas | $224,158 | +2.4% | +352% |
| California | $761,538 | +9.4% | +753% |
| Colorado | $529,013 | +5.5% | +676% |
| Connecticut | $447,319 | +7.0% | +570% |
| Delaware | $405,061 | +2.8% | +615% |
| District of Columbia | $567,271 | −0.1% | +949% |
| Florida | $375,361 | +5.1% | +659% |
| Georgia | $329,115 | +8.0% | +505% |
| Hawaii | $832,932 | −18.3% | +1073% |
| Idaho | $476,754 | +4.3% | +685% |
| Illinois | $295,943 | +4.2% | +444% |
| Indiana | $257,165 | +3.7% | +415% |
| Iowa | $236,623 | −5.3% | +392% |
| Kansas | $246,055 | +1.1% | +372% |
| Kentucky | $230,909 | +2.9% | +465% |
| Louisiana | $213,867 | +9.0% | +247% |
| Maine | $412,002 | +10.6% | +815% |
| Maryland | $424,890 | +8.0% | +544% |
| Massachusetts | $655,219 | +12.6% | +1020% |
| Michigan | $263,760 | +3.0% | +459% |
| Minnesota | $348,778 | −0.7% | +497% |
| Mississippi | $194,531 | +0.5% | +321% |
| Missouri | $265,387 | −1.7% | +454% |
| Montana | $467,275 | −2.6% | +762% |
| Nebraska | $278,299 | −1.4% | +444% |
| Nevada | $440,739 | +11.4% | +465% |
| New Hampshire | $510,937 | +1.4% | +814% |
| New Jersey | $575,123 | +4.1% | +816% |
| New Mexico | $315,812 | +10.6% | +405% |
| New York | $524,942 | +3.7% | +955% |
| North Carolina | $332,159 | +5.0% | +569% |
| North Dakota | $290,657 | +7.5% | +399% |
| Ohio | $245,982 | +1.2% | +409% |
| Oklahoma | $220,801 | +7.3% | +268% |
| Oregon | $492,753 | −6.0% | +796% |
| Pennsylvania | $287,078 | +3.2% | +609% |
| Rhode Island | $508,507 | +1.0% | +950% |
| South Carolina | $304,319 | +10.0% | +529% |
| South Dakota | $317,874 | −4.2% | +573% |
| Tennessee | $330,844 | +2.1% | +593% |
| Texas | $296,424 | +6.8% | +381% |
| Utah | $532,920 | +6.7% | +696% |
| Vermont | $391,900 | −4.8% | +812% |
| Virginia | $412,252 | +4.2% | +631% |
| Washington | $587,533 | +1.6% | +903% |
| West Virginia | $176,576 | −1.8% | +255% |
| Wisconsin | $337,196 | −1.8% | +547% |
| Wyoming | $369,044 | +9.8% | +385% |
FHFA change: the FHFA all-transactions house price index, comparing the 1981 yearly average with Q2 2026. HPI data sets
Current value of a 1981 home
Consider a house that sold for $68,950 in 1981, which was the median price for a new house. If the FHFA index is applied, that house would now be worth about $463,143. With consumer prices alone, it would be worth $255,507. Once adjusted for inflation, today's median new-house price is 54% higher than it was in 1981.
| A $68,950 home from 1981 | Worth now | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Value grown using the US FHFA house price index | $463,143 | Q2 2026 |
| Grown with consumer prices only (CPI-U) | $255,507 | September 2026 |
Each series compared with its own 1981 and current values:
| Series | 1981 | Now | As of | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median new house sold, Census and HUD | $68,950 | $393,300 | Q3 2026 | +470% |
| Average new house sold, Census and HUD | $83,175 | $494,400 | Q3 2026 | +494% |
| FHFA house price index (an index, not dollars) | 107.2 | 719.9 | Q2 2026 | +572% |
| Consumer prices (CPI-U) | 90.9 | 336.9 | September 2026 | +271% |
For a specific city and purchase price: use the home appreciation calculator.
1981 in perspective
Steel shows the median new-house price, while grey shows the average. A dashed line identifies 1981.
Before this year: home prices in 1980. After this year: home prices in 1982. All years collected on one page: home prices by year. Each fall since 1975 appears in the housing market crash history. Current city-by-city values for homes bought in 1981: the calculator for home appreciation.