Vital factors
- Cook dinner County continued to be a vendor’s market in Could. Stock was down, costs had been rising sooner than the nationwide tempo, and practically half of the properties had been bought above record worth.
- Median gross sales worth reached $388,834, up 5% year-over-year and greater than double the nationwide worth enhance.
- Greater than half of the properties went underneath contract inside two weeks, reflecting patrons’ persistent impatience.
A Snapshot of the Cook dinner County, Illinois Housing Market
| Median promoting worth | pending sale | energetic record | Days on market | bought on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $388,834 (+5.1% YoY) | 6,543 individuals (+2.8% in comparison with earlier yr) | 20,750 (-3.4% YoY) | 46 days (-2 days in comparison with earlier yr) | 49.0% (+2.5% YoY) |
Cook dinner County’s housing market tilted closely towards sellers in Could. Costs rose, stock shrunk, and patrons competed for fewer out there properties. The mixture of lowered provide and regular demand pushed the median gross sales worth to greater than $388,000, with practically half of all listings exceeding the asking worth. When you’re contemplating shopping for right here, act shortly and be ready to pay a premium.
This is what the Could 2026 Cook dinner County, Illinois information exhibits and what patrons and sellers have to know heading into summer time.
A snapshot of the US housing market
| Median promoting worth | pending sale | energetic record | Days on market | steadiness between patrons and sellers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $398,771 (+2.0% YoY) | 349,901 individuals (4.4% enhance in comparison with the earlier yr) | 1,483,839 (+0.7% YoY) | 49 days (+3 days in comparison with earlier yr) | The variety of sellers outnumbers patrons by 47% |
Nationwide, the housing market continued to see a gradual thaw. Costs had been up 2% yr over yr, pending gross sales had been up and inventories had been roughly flat. However the hole between Cook dinner County and its friends has widened. Native costs rose greater than twice as quick, stock held regular elsewhere however shrunk right here, and houses bought sooner in Cook dinner County than the nationwide median worth.
“Many cities are experiencing a multi-year reset from the pandemic, with slowing worth progress and rising inventories, contributing to improved affordability as wages rise,” mentioned Chen Zhao, head of financial analysis at Redfin. “Pending residence gross sales have elevated over the previous three months, an early signal that patrons and sellers are beginning to re-enter the market. However financial instability associated to the Iran struggle has everybody on edge.”
Cook dinner County costs as soon as once more outpace the nation.
The median gross sales worth in Cook dinner County in Could reached $388,834, a rise of 5.1% from a yr in the past. Nationwide, the value enhance charge was solely 2%. Cook dinner County is up about 45% for the reason that begin of 2020, and the tempo of progress stays excessive even because the post-pandemic enthusiasm fades. Median worth per sq. foot rose 7% year-over-year to $260, suggesting true worth progress fairly than a shift to bigger properties.
Value reductions remained small. Solely 9.6% of Cook dinner County’s energetic listings had worth reductions, down from 11% a yr in the past and effectively under the nationwide common. The standard residence bought for 1.3% above record worth, confirming that sellers had been assured in setting asking costs and patrons had been assembly or exceeding these costs.
Half of Cook dinner County properties go underneath contract in two weeks
Greater than half (50.9%) of Cook dinner County properties went underneath contract inside two weeks in Could, in comparison with 31.9% nationally. This practically 20 proportion level distinction has persevered since 2021 and displays sustained native demand that persistently outpaces the remainder of the nation. Cook dinner County off-market two-week charges had been flat year-over-year, whereas nationwide charges rose by simply 0.2 proportion factors.
Testifying to that pace, pending gross sales elevated 2.8% year-over-year, properties bought elevated 1.1%, and the median variety of days on market decreased to 46 days (down 2 days year-over-year). Nationally, days on market went in the other way, rising to 49 days. This mix presents a transparent image. Cook dinner County patrons continued to maneuver shortly, and high-priced listings not often lasted lengthy.
Inventories are tight whereas different areas of the nation are performing effectively
The variety of efficient listings decreased by 3.4% from the earlier yr to twenty,750.In the meantime, nationwide inventories had been mainly flat (+0.7%). The variety of new listings was flat year-on-year at 6,857, that means there was no new wave of provide to ease the stress. The variety of days of accessible stock decreased from 40 days a yr in the past to 39 days, confirming that properties are being absorbed earlier than they will accumulate.
Cook dinner County has slightly below three months of provide, which is considerably decrease than the nationwide provide of practically 4 months. This stage often favors sellers. Consumers who store right here face a market the place demand outstrips new stock, and there’s no apparent profit to ready for extra choices to emerge.
The highest tier led the value enhance, however the backside tier stagnated.
| worth vary | Median worth (YoY) | Offered (YoY) | DOM (YoY) | Share above record (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxurious items (high 5%) | $1,538,890 (+4.3%) | 991 (+5.2%) | 44 days (-5 days) | 44.7% (+9.1 ppt) |
| Excessive (65-95%) | $622,337 (+6.0%) | 4,570 (+1.6%) | 41 days (-3 days) | 55.3% (+4.8 ppt) |
| Non-luxury items (35-65%) | $366,688 (+4.6%) | 3,721 (-0.8%) | 48 days (0 days) | 49.9% (+1.5 ppt) |
| Starter (5-35%) | $230,351 (+4.0%) | 4,034 (-1.0%) | 56 days (0 days) | 37.3% (-0.8 ppt) |
| Backside (backside 5%) | $104,193 (+0.1%) | 722 (-9.8%) | 69 days (+8 days) | 22.9% (-0.9 ppt) |
Redfin Evaluation of MLS Information • Rolling 3-month interval (March-Could 2026)
The highest tier rose the quickest, at 6% year-on-year, with greater than half of the properties bought above itemizing. Luxurious properties (median worth $1.54 million) grew 4.3%, with above-list gross sales accelerating dramatically, rising 9 factors to just about 45%. Quantity within the luxurious sector additionally elevated by 5.2%, bucking the broader development of flat to declining volumes within the decrease tiers.
On the backside, costs had been flat and gross sales had been down practically 10%. Properties on this tier sat for 69 days, 25 days greater than these within the high tier, and fewer than 1 / 4 bought for greater than their asking worth. Starter properties had a middling efficiency. Costs had been up 4%, however volumes had been down 1% and above-listing exercise was modest. High-tier patrons confronted fierce competitors. These buying within the lower cost vary had extra room to discount.
How patrons and sellers can navigate the Cook dinner County market
When buying in Cook dinner County, preparation is extra essential than endurance. Stock is lowering fairly than growing, and half of the properties go underneath contract inside two weeks. Please put together funds earlier than beginning the tour. For properties in good areas, be ready to supply greater than the record worth. Focus your vitality on the correct layers. Competitors is most intense within the high-end and high-end residence segments, however there is a bit more room for negotiation in starter properties and lower-end properties.
With regards to promoting, the info helps with the ability to worth with confidence, however not recklessly. The common residence bought for 1.3% above itemizing, and fewer than 10% of listings required a worth discount. When you set your costs precisely from day one, you are extra prone to get presents instantly. When you overshoot, you threat being one of many few properties left standing whereas the remainder of the market strikes on.
Cook dinner County, Illinois Market Information by Metropolis
Rolling three-month interval (March to Could 2026). Shows cities with 50 or extra gross sales. Click on the column header you need to kind.
| metropolis | Median gross sales worth (YoY) | bought | New record. | energetic | dom | % On high of that | provide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| chicago | $419,749 (+6.3% YoY) | 7,136 | 9,714 | 15,478 | 47 | 46.9% | 3.1 |
| evanston | $426,745 (-11.1% YoY) | 256 | 309 | 456 | 38 | 47.7% | 2.1 |
| arlington heights | $501,700 (+5.6% YoY) | 255 | 355 | 493 | 39 | 53.5% | 2.6 |
| tinley park | $339,797 (+3.0% YoY) | 248 | 308 | 474 | 43 | 44.7% | 2.5 |
| schaumburg | $320,808 (+2.5% YoY) | 246 | 344 | 489 | 43 | 50.1% | 2.8 |
| palatine | $384,770 (+9.3% YoY) | 232 | 313 | 432 | 43 | 50.1% | 2.5 |
| orlando park | $384,720 (+5.8% YoY) | 201 | 306 | 437 | 44 | 43.5% | 3.4 |
| oak park | $499,701 (+0.6% YoY) | 198 | 254 | 354 | 42 | 53.5% | 2.2 |
| oak garden | $309,815 (+1.6% YoY) | 173 | 264 | 425 | 59 | 36.2% | 3.8 |
| skokie | $449,731 (+5.0% YoY) | 165 | 242 | 349 | 42 | 44.2% | 3.1 |
| des plaines | $374,776 (+1.2% YoY) | 163 | 231 | 341 | 47 | 47.9% | 2.9 |
| Hoffman Estates | $410,005 (+1.9% YoY) | 152 | 225 | 303 | 43 | 52.8% | 2.8 |
| stream wooden | $329,803 (-1.6% YoY) | 148 | 166 | 254 | 45 | 53.6% | 2.2 |
| glenview | $811,015 (+20.6% YoY) | 148 | 184 | 270 | 35 | 55.0% | 2.2 |
| mount prospect | $465,721 (+8.1% YoY) | 140 | 207 | 281 | 45 | 53.4% | 2.9 |
| northbrook | $677,844 (-3.1% YoY) | 133 | 196 | 290 | 44 | 52.4% | 3.0 |
| park ridge | $651,860 (+16.4% YoY) | 131 | 176 | 248 | 45 | 43.1% | 2.5 |
| Wilmette | $1,279,234 (+6.2% YoY) | 118 | 151 | 209 | 35 | 61.9% | 1.8 |
| Berwyn | $374,776 (-3.4% YoY) | 110 | 135 | 242 | 60 | 47.8% | 3.3 |
| Elk Grove Village | $375,775 (-2.0% YoY) | 108 | 136 | 186 | 41 | 50.6% | 2.2 |
| wheeling | $299,821 (-7.7% YoY) | 96 | 116 | 195 | 58 | 38.4% | 2.9 |
| lansing | $199,880 (-4.8% YoY) | 89 | 141 | 250 | 61 | 39.2% | 5.2 |
| oak forest | $317,310 (+6.7% YoY) | 88 | 106 | 164 | 53 | 46.6% | 2.6 |
| Elmwood Park | $370,778 (+5.2% YoY) | 87 | 109 | 171 | 51 | 41.3% | 2.6 |
| south holland | $215,871 (-1.9% YoY) | 86 | 93 | 218 | 94 | 32.2% | 3.9 |
| Calumet Metropolis | $169,399 (-1.4% YoY) | 85 | 117 | 301 | 100 | 43.5% | 6.5 |
| niles | $435,989 (+26.4% YoY) | 84 | 106 | 165 | 50 | 45.2% | 2.4 |
| morton grove | $474,716 (+10.4% YoY) | 83 | 108 | 161 | 46 | 38.4% | 2.6 |
| park forest | $165,901 (+12.9% YoY) | 73 | 113 | 242 | 77 | 35.3% | 6.6 |
| Homewood | $247,202 (+6.6% YoY) | 71 | 116 | 219 | 67 | 27.6% | 5.1 |
| Paros Hills | $304,818 (+14.5% YoY) | 67 | 89 | 148 | 52 | 38.5% | 3.4 |
| rolling meadows | $359,785 (+6.6% YoY) | 66 | 105 | 146 | 42 | 50.1% | 3.4 |
| Cicero | $332,301 (+7.2% YoY) | 66 | 97 | 185 | 61 | 39.2% | 4.9 |
| burbank | $311,813 (-2.6% YoY) | 63 | 87 | 148 | 53 | 42.7% | 3.8 |
| westchester | $393,764 (+5.0% YoY) | 61 | 82 | 116 | 40 | 66.8% | 2.3 |
| dalton | $149,910 (-11.8% YoY) | 61 | 91 | 218 | 94 | 36.8% | 6.7 |
| forest park | $346,293 (-8.3% YoY) | 61 | 77 | 128 | 43 | 45.1% | 3.2 |
| Western Springs | $1,080,403 (+18.1% YoY) | 61 | 80 | 109 | 38 | 53.5% | 2.1 |
| river forest | $669,599 (+1.1% YoY) | 59 | 56 | 93 | 43 | 41.5% | 1.4 |
| chicago heights | $192,885 (+2.1% YoY) | 57 | 93 | 182 | 73 | 46.5% | 5.3 |
| prospect heights | $351,290 (+5.5% YoY) | 57 | 71 | 102 | 52 | 41.2% | 2.3 |
| Palos Heights | $329,803 (-9.6% YoY) | 56 | 72 | 108 | 47 | 32.8% | 2.6 |
| evergreen park | $330,802 (+10.3% YoY) | 55 | 75 | 118 | 64 | 53.8% | 3.0 |
| brookfield | $394,764 (+3.6% YoY) | 54 | 73 | 102 | 39 | 56.7% | 2.6 |
| mattheson | $259,844 (+8.3% YoY) | 54 | 72 | 150 | 88 | 24.6% | 4.8 |
| La Grange | $587,149 (+6.8% YoY) | 53 | 76 | 106 | 45 | 63.6% | 2.8 |
| winnetka | $1,878,876 (+10.5% YoY) | 53 | 58 | 86 | 30 | 61.7% | 1.2 |
| nation membership hills | $237,808 (+24.5% YoY) | 53 | 103 | 190 | 63 | 38.5% | 6.3 |
| Barrington | $594,644 (+0.2% YoY) | 51 | 77 | 106 | 45 | 26.1% | 2.9 |
| markham | $154,907 (-6.1% YoY) | 50 | 80 | 156 | 77 | 49.1% | 5.9 |
This text was created in complete or partially utilizing generative synthetic intelligence (AI) expertise with enter from Chen Zhao, Head of Financial Analysis at Redfin. Whereas efforts have been made to make sure the accuracy and reliability of this data, you must independently confirm all information, information, and quotes contained on this article earlier than counting on the knowledge for any objective. This data just isn’t supposed to substitute for recommendation from an actual property agent, monetary advisor, or different certified skilled. County-level information should not seasonally adjusted. For extra detailed housing market information, try the Redfin Information Heart.

