Whether you’re a first-time buyer hunting for an affordable entry point, an investor sizing up promising markets, or a seller trying to figure out where your property stands, median home price is one of the most useful numbers you can look at. It filters out the noise of luxury outliers and distressed bargains and gives you a grounded picture of what a typical home actually sells for in a given area.
This post takes a look at four distinct U.S. markets — each served by an active local brokerage — breaks down what homes are selling for right now, and offers some context on what’s shaping values in each region.
Olympia, Washington — Median Price: ~$489,000
Olympia has quietly remained one of the more affordable options in the Pacific Northwest. The median sale price as of late 2025 sits around $489,000, up roughly 1.9% year over year. That puts it well below the Washington state average and dramatically under what you’d pay in the Seattle metro, where medians routinely crack $800,000.
A big reason Olympia holds up so well is its role as the state capital. Government employment provides a steady economic floor that a lot of smaller cities simply don’t have. Inventory in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area has historically stayed tight — often under a month of supply — which keeps prices from dipping even when national trends cool off. The market scores around 76 out of 100 on competitiveness, meaning multiple offers are common and homes move fast. If you’re buying here, speed matters.
Local Expert: Van Dorm Realty, Inc. One of the largest and longest-running brokerages in Thurston County, Van Dorm Realty has been operating since 1980. They cover Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and the surrounding South Puget Sound communities.
- Website: vandorm.com
- Phone: (360) 943-3000
- Address: 1530 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Ste F, Olympia, WA 98502
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Lubbock, Texas — Median Price: ~$247,000
Lubbock is one of the most affordable housing markets in the country, full stop. The metro-wide median currently sits around $247,000, though prices vary a lot depending on the neighborhood. Tech Terrace averages closer to $275,000, while upscale areas like LakeRidge Country Club Estates push medians near $507,500. That range reflects just how diverse Lubbock’s housing stock really is.
Texas Tech University is the economic engine behind much of the city’s demand. The university and its surrounding research and medical corridor keep drawing young professionals, students, and families from across the region. Layer in no state income tax and a genuinely low cost of living, and you have a market that stays active even when other cities are slowing down. New construction is healthy too, with builders actively developing neighborhoods across the city.
Local Expert: Sam Meador – eXp Realty in Lubbock Texas Sam runs YourLubbockHome.com, a well-built resource for buyers and sellers across the greater Lubbock area. He covers Lubbock proper as well as surrounding towns like Shallowater, Wolfforth, Levelland, Abernathy, Idalou, and Ransom Canyon. His clients consistently highlight his honesty, responsiveness, and the way he stays engaged well past closing.
- Website: yourlubbockhome.com
- Phone: (806) 786-6331
- Office Line: 888-519-7431
- Location: Lubbock, TX 79424
Bakersfield, California — Median Price: ~$415,000
If you want to own a home in California without paying a coastal price, Bakersfield is one of the strongest options in the state. The median sale price as of late 2025 is around $415,000 — up about 1.2% year over year — which lands it at roughly half the California statewide median of around $900,000. For context, that’s a legitimate home in a decent neighborhood, not a compromise.
Bakersfield’s economy runs on oil and gas, agriculture, and a growing logistics and healthcare sector. It’s been picking up migrants from pricier California metros, especially Los Angeles, and that steady inflow keeps demand healthy. The market is fairly balanced right now — homes are selling in about 40 days with inventory around 2.1 months of supply — so it’s not a frenzy, but well-priced homes in popular areas like Seven Oaks and Stockdale still draw serious interest.
Local Expert: Michael McCracken and Associates Michael has been selling real estate since he was 19 and has closed close to 1,000 homes over nearly two decades. His team at PackinWithMcCracken.com is one of the most well-reviewed in the Bakersfield area, known for being responsive, genuinely caring, and especially strong with first-time buyers and investors alike.
- Website: packinwithmccracken.com
- Phone: (661) 220-0027
- Email: michael@mmandassociates.com
- Address: 5100 California Ave, Ste 111, Bakersfield, CA 93309
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Sat 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Orlando, Florida — Median Price: ~$400,000
Orlando’s market has shifted noticeably over the past year. After the wild pace of the pandemic era, things have cooled and stabilized. The median sale price as of late 2025 is around $400,000 — essentially flat compared to the year before — and homes are now spending 60 to 76 days on the market. That’s a big change from when properties were disappearing in under a week.
None of that means Orlando is losing steam as a city. It was one of the fastest-growing metros in the nation in 2024, with a 2.7% population increase and more private-sector job additions than any other metro in Florida. Tourism, tech, simulation and training (a big military contractor sector), and healthcare all continue to fuel growth. What’s changed is that rising insurance costs and a growing inventory — now approaching 4.3 months of supply — have given buyers real negotiating leverage for the first time in years. If you’re shopping here, that’s actually good news.
Local Expert: Florida Pride Realty Florida Pride Realty is an Orlando-area brokerage affiliated with HomeSmart that helps buyers and sellers work through the Central Florida market. Their site, FloridaPrideRealty.com, features listings across Orlando and surrounding neighborhoods including Gotha and Ocoee.
- Website: floridapriderealty.com
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Bob McCranie 407-476-0451
Note: Florida Pride Realty’s site didn’t surface a dedicated agent phone number or email publicly, so reaching out through their website or the eXp office line is your best starting point.
The Bottom Line
These four markets tell four different stories, but they share one thing in common — each one offers a real opportunity depending on what you’re looking for. Lubbock is hard to beat on pure affordability. Olympia gives you Pacific Northwest living without the Seattle price tag. Bakersfield opens the door to California homeownership at a fraction of what most of the state charges. And Orlando, now that the market has cooled, is finally treating buyers fairly again.
The realtors listed above know their markets inside and out. If any of these areas are on your radar, reaching out to one of them is a smart first step.
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