Connecticut Housing in 2025: Prices Up, Sales Down, Migration Rising

Connecticut's housing market in 2025 is a study in contrasts. Prices are climbing, inventory remains tight, and the number of sales has dipped—yet the state continues to attract out-of-state buyers while simultaneously seeing a steady flow of residents leaving for other parts of the country. If you're buying, selling, or investing in Connecticut real estate, this year's data provides valuable insight into how to move smartly in a competitive environment.

Market Trends: A Pricing Surge Amid Slower Sales

As of September 2025, the median sale price for single-family homes in Connecticut hit $490,000, an 8.9% increase from the previous year. The average price per square foot rose to $299, also up 8% year-over-year, and the average sale price jumped to $701,787. These metrics reflect strong appreciation, particularly in the mid-priced segments.

However, despite rising prices, the number of total sales dropped by 9.3%, with 2,685 transactions in August alone, suggesting that affordability pressures and economic uncertainty may be sidelining some buyers.

Inventory remains historically tight, with only 1.47 months of supply available, well below the 5-6 months considered balanced. Days on market (DOM) remain low at a median of 17 days, indicating that well-priced homes are still moving quickly.

Most market activity continues to cluster between $200,000 and $599,000, where buyer competition remains fierce. Properties in this range often receive multiple offers and sell over asking price. Meanwhile, homes priced above $1.2 million are seeing more sluggish turnover, longer days on market, and are more likely to undergo price reductions.

The New Geography of Connecticut Buyers and Sellers

Migration is becoming a key force shaping Connecticut's housing market.

Where are sellers going? Many Connecticut homeowners are heading south or seeking states with lower costs of living. In August 2025, the top destinations for sellers included:

• Florida (18%)

• New York (13%)

• Massachusetts (9%)

• North Carolina (7%)

• South Carolina (6%)

This outflow is consistent with national retirement and remote work trends, as people search for warmer climates and tax-friendly environments.

Who's moving in? On the flip side, Connecticut is drawing a significant share of out-of-state buyers. In August, 19% of all buyers were from outside Connecticut, continuing a trend that peaked in 2021 and has since stabilized.

Top buyer sources include:

• New York (39%)

• Massachusetts (17%)

• Florida (6%)

• California (5%)

• Rhode Island (5%)

This inbound migration is largely driven by buyers fleeing higher housing costs in neighboring states, especially the New York metro area. Connecticut offers more space, lower prices, and a quieter lifestyle, while still providing access to major urban centers.

A Competitive Yet Fragmented Market

Despite overall demand, not every listing is flying off the shelf.

A full 33% of active listings have had at least one price drop, with the average reduction around 10%. Homes that drop their prices spend a median of 44 days on market before going pending. This is especially true for homes priced above $800,000, where buyers are slower to engage and more inclined to negotiate.

In contrast, homes between $200,000 and $599,000 continue to experience short DOM (12-16 days) and sell for 3-4% over asking. Listings in this range represent over 60% of all single-family home sales and are the epicenter of competition.

If you’re a seller in a higher bracket, it’s essential to price your home accurately from day one. If you’re a buyer in the mid-range, be ready to act fast and come prepared with strong offers.

What Buyers, Sellers, and Investors Should Know Now

For Buyers:

• Expect bidding wars under $600k

• Work with an agent who can help you move fast and understand local dynamics

• If shopping above $1M, take advantage of softer competition and room to negotiate

For Sellers:

• Homes under $600k can still fetch top dollar if marketed aggressively

• Listings above $800k need competitive pricing and possibly staging to stand out

• Consider the timing of your sale to align with buyer activity (spring and early summer remain strong)

For Investors:

• Rental demand remains robust, especially in commuter-friendly towns

• Price growth and limited supply make appreciation potential strong

• Be strategic about property condition, as turn-key homes are commanding premiums

Final Thoughts

Connecticut's 2025 real estate landscape is complex but full of opportunity. Rising prices and low inventory are challenging for some but rewarding for others. Migration patterns show a growing attraction from out-of-state buyers, especially those looking to escape high-cost metros without sacrificing quality of life.

Understanding these market forces can make the difference between a missed opportunity and a smart move.

Contact us below to talk with a local expert about how we can help you buy, sell, invest, or manage property in today’s Connecticut market.

The Real Reason Realtors Avoid Talking About Schools

One of the most common questions homebuyers ask Realtors is about the quality of schools and school districts. While this is an understandable concern for families, it’s an area where real estate professionals must tread carefully. Discussing the quality of a school can unintentionally cross into Fair Housing issues, since comments about schools may be interpreted as comments about the people or demographics in a community.

Because of this, many Realtors avoid offering personal opinions on schools. Instead, we direct buyers to independent, publicly available resources so they can form their own judgments.

Reliable Resources You Can Use

Here are three of the most widely used and free-to-access platforms that provide detailed school information:

• GreatSchools.org – Offers a simple 1–10 rating system based on test scores, student progress, and equity. It’s an easy way to get a quick snapshot of how a school is performing.

• Niche.com – Provides detailed “report cards” with grades for academics, teachers, clubs, diversity, and college prep. It combines hard data with student and parent reviews, giving you a well-rounded perspective.

• SchoolDigger.com – Useful for side-by-side comparisons of schools. It focuses heavily on state test score data, demographics, and spending per student, making it a good choice if you like to dig into numbers.

These sites are not sponsored by us in any way, and all are free to the public without requiring a subscription.

Additional Sources Worth Exploring

The three sites above are excellent starting points, but they aren’t the only options. Other reputable sources include:

• State Departments of Education (for Connecticut, the Connecticut State Department of Education publishes accountability reports and district data)

• U.S. News & World Report school rankings

• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

• Local parent-teacher associations and district websites

Using multiple sources will give you a broader, more accurate picture of a school or district.

Important Disclaimer

We share these resources strictly for informational purposes. Realtors are not permitted to steer clients toward or away from neighborhoods based on school quality, demographics, or similar factors, as doing so could violate Fair Housing laws. Our role is to connect you with the tools you need to make your own informed decision.

When considering a school district, we strongly recommend that buyers:

• Review several sources of information

• Visit schools personally

• Speak directly with school staff and parents

Homes.com Calls Meriden a Budget Buy—Local Data Says Otherwise

Meriden, Connecticut is gaining attention as an affordable, centrally located community in New Haven County. With a mix of historic charm, access to transit, and a growing housing market, it's no surprise that national platforms like Homes.com are spotlighting the city. But how does the national narrative stack up against local data? Let’s take a closer look.

Homes.com Highlights: A Snapshot of Meriden

According to Homes.com, Meriden boasts a median listing price of about $219,750 and an average home sale price of $242,355. The average home spends between 49 to 53 days on the market, slightly faster than the national average. South Meriden is featured as a particularly desirable neighborhood, with its tree-lined streets, Cape Cod-style homes, and community atmosphere. Overall, Meriden is portrayed as a budget-friendly city for first-time buyers and investors.

But these numbers represent a broad overview across all property types. To understand what’s really happening in Meriden, we need to zoom in on the most common housing choice: single-family homes.

The Local Reality: What the MLS Says

According to the SmartMLS report as of August 5, 2025, the median sale price for single-family homes in Meriden is $355,500, marking a 12.9% increase from the previous year. That’s significantly higher than the figures reported by Homes.com.

Additional local stats include:

• Average sale price: $351,159

• Average price per square foot: $212

• Median days on market: 11

• Majority of sales: between $200K and $399K

• Inventory: 1.1 months of supply (indicating a strong seller's market)

Explaining the Discrepancy

Why such a large difference between the Homes.com and MLS data?

1. Property Type Scope: Homes.com likely includes condos, townhomes, and multi-family properties in its averages, which often sell for less than single-family homes.

2. Data Freshness: The MLS data is updated in real-time and reflects sales through August 2025, while Homes.com may be working with older or aggregated data.

Price Reductions & Buyer Competition

While homes are selling quickly, not all listings fly off the shelf. Around 23% of active listings have had a price reduction, averaging about 7% off the original asking price. However, homes still sell for over asking on average, with strong demand particularly in the $200K–$399K range.

What This Means for You

If you're a buyer, especially in the mid-price range, be prepared for competition. Homes are moving fast and inventory is tight. If you're a seller, now is an excellent time to list, especially given rising prices and short days on market. And for investors, Meriden continues to offer long-term value, particularly in neighborhoods seeing redevelopment and growth.

Want In On Meriden's Momentum?

Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, having the right team on your side is critical.

Contact us below to discuss your goals. Our local expertise and up-to-the-minute market insights will help you make the smartest move in Meriden's dynamic housing market.