Published October 5, 2026 in Market Update

South End prices rose even as the broader South list price slipped

By Eric Rollo

Real estate, South End

Here is the number that matters most for South End homeowners right now. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted a $1,150,000 median sale price in ZIP 02118 for the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is up 6% from the same period in 2025.

Meanwhile, Realtor.com reported the South region's median list price was $379,000 in September 2026, down 2.4% year over year. South End moved in the opposite direction. That gap matters if you own here.

More homes, a little more time

Prices rose, but a few other signals are worth knowing. The Real Estate Data Aggregator shows 126 homes for sale in South End during that period, up 12.5% from a year before. More choices for buyers means sellers have to be sharp on price and condition.

The median days on market came in at 29 days, 6 days longer than the same stretch in 2025, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Not a slow market, but not instant either.

Fewer bidding wars, but most homes still close near ask

The Real Estate Data Aggregator found that 14.4% of South End homes sold above list price in the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is down 11.1 points from a year before. Bidding wars got quieter.

Still, the average sale came in at 98.4% of list price. Sellers gave up very little. That is a steady market, not a falling one.

The national picture adds context

The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported U.S. house prices rose 2.6% from July 2025 to July 2026. South End's 6% gain ran more than twice that pace.

Mortgage rates are a real factor for buyers everywhere. Realtor.com reported rates topped 7% in September 2026. That slows demand at the edges, which is part of why days on market crept up.

One more thing. These are ZIP code numbers. One block on Tremont Street or Columbus Avenue can read very differently from the 02118 average. Your home's story depends on what is actually around it.