Ethan Harris

June 2026 Report · Every Figure Sourced

Capital Region Housing Market

The Capital Region housing market enters summer 2026 with county-level medians at record levels, mortgage rates easing under 6.6%, and continued tight inventory in the core counties. Every figure below is drawn from the named public source.

Median residential sale price by county — full-year 2025

CountyMedian Sale PriceSales (2025)
Albany County$320,5002,034
Saratoga County$450,0002,470
Schenectady County$285,0001,694
Rensselaer County$280,0001,389
Warren County$327,000817
Washington County$242,000619
Greene County$350,000607
Columbia County$485,000583

Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, residential median sale price data (arm's-length, non-condo sales), updated April 16, 2026

Price trend: the regional climb

County2023 Median2024 MedianChange
Albany$287,625$321,250+11.7%
Schenectady$234,667$256,700+9.4%
Rensselaer$250,583$275,250+9.8%
Saratoga$394,750$414,992+5.1%

Across the four core counties, median home values rose an average of roughly 9% from 2023 to 2024 — and the 2025 full-year state figures above show the climb continued.

Source: Capital District Regional Planning Commission analysis of Greater Capital Association of REALTORS data (2023–2024)

City spotlight: Albany

  • Median sale price in the city of Albany: about $254,000 (down 3.1% year-over-year as of March 2026)
  • Homes in the city sold after a median of 17 days on market, faster than 20 days a year earlier

The city of Albany trades well below the Albany County median — the county figure includes higher-priced suburbs like Bethlehem, Guilderland, and Colonie.

Source: Redfin Albany, NY housing market data, March 2026

Mortgage rates

6.52%

30-year fixed average · Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, as of June 11, 2026. The 30-year fixed average has eased from 6.84% a year ago.

https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms

Market Questions, Answered

What is the median home price in the Capital Region in 2026?

It depends heavily on the county. Full-year 2025 medians from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance: Albany County $320,500, Saratoga County $450,000, Schenectady County $285,000, Rensselaer County $280,000. Columbia County, at $485,000, is the most expensive county in the broader region; Washington County, at $242,000, the most affordable.

Are Capital Region home prices still rising?

The trend through the most recent full-year data is up. CDRPC analysis of GCAR data shows the four core counties averaged roughly 9% median-price growth from 2023 to 2024, and 2025 state figures came in higher again. The city of Albany itself cooled slightly (median around $254,000, down about 3% year-over-year as of March 2026 per Redfin) — city and suburb can move differently.

Which Capital Region county is most affordable in 2026?

Among the eight counties Ethan serves, Washington County had the lowest 2025 median residential sale price at $242,000, followed by Rensselaer County at $280,000 and Schenectady County at $285,000 (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, full-year 2025). Within those counties, cities like Schenectady, Troy, Cohoes, and Watervliet offer the lowest entry prices.

Where do mortgage rates stand right now?

As of June 11, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averages 6.52% per the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey — down from 6.84% a year earlier. Rates move weekly; check the source for the current figure before locking.

Methodology & Sources

Compiled June 2026 by Ethan Harris, NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson #10401368511, Empire Real Estate Firm LLC. County medians: NYS Department of Taxation and Finance residential median sale price data (arm's-length, non-condominium sales). Trend data: Capital District Regional Planning Commission analysis of Greater Capital Association of REALTORS data. City data: Redfin public market pages. Mortgage rates: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Figures are reported as published by each source; no estimates are blended in. Where a number couldn't be verified against a public source, it was left out.

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