Home Prices Surge in Top School Districts: New Report Reveals Shocking Costs
URGENT UPDATE: A new report from Realtor.com reveals that parents seeking homes in top-rated school districts face staggering prices, with the average median list price soaring to $1.21 million—a shocking 135% increase compared to surrounding areas. As the school year approaches, competition for homes in these sought-after districts is heating up, forcing families to grapple with significant financial burdens.
The report, analyzing data from May to July 2025, indicates that 27 out of the 50 most popular school districts boast average ratings of 8 or higher, highlighting the demand for quality education. Notably, the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, TX, commands the highest premium, with homes averaging $2.16 million—an astonishing 391% markup over the typical price of $439,967 just outside the district.
Economist Jiyai Xu of Realtor.com warns, “Living in these high-performing districts comes at a price.” Families are not just relocating for better education but also facing skyrocketing housing costs. This trend reflects a broader challenge: balancing educational aspirations with financial realities.
In the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, active listings reached nearly 32,000 in July, the highest in over a decade, as noted by real estate expert Nick Gerli. He describes the market as having “the most selection since the last downturn” in 2011–12. Encouragingly, the median list price in Dallas has dropped 2.2% year-over-year to $439,900, with forecasts predicting a further 7.8% decline in prices over the next year.
California districts are not far behind in price tags. The Laguna Beach Unified School District commands an average home price of $5 million, representing a 322% premium over the surrounding Los Angeles area. Similarly, the Reed Union Elementary School District in the San Francisco Bay Area sees homes priced around $4 million, a staggering 304% increase compared to nearby listings.
The situation is no less dramatic in the Northeast. In the New Hope-Solebury School District near Philadelphia, buyers face a median asking price of $1.24 million, a 224% increase from the surrounding metro. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, the Ladue School District in St. Louis lists homes at approximately $968,247, a 222% premium over the regional median of $299,950.
As families prioritize education for their children, the housing market responds with dramatic price shifts, creating urgency for prospective buyers. Parents must now consider how the intersection of school quality and housing affordability shapes their decisions.
With the first day of school on the horizon, the race to secure homes in these coveted districts continues, making it crucial for families to act fast in a rapidly changing market. For those navigating these challenges, the impact of such decisions will resonate for years to come.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
