Lake County, IL Housing Market Update: May 2026
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Key Takeaways
- DuPage County was firmly a seller’s market in May. Homes moved quickly, more than half sold above asking, and prices surged nearly four times faster than the national average.
- The median sale price rose 7.5% year over year to $456,880, crossing the $450,000 mark for the first time.
- Over 62% of listings went under contract within two weeks of hitting the market.
DuPage County, IL Housing Market Snapshot
| Median Sale Price | Pending Sales | Active Listings | Days on Market | Sold Above List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $456,880 (+7.5% YoY) | 1,312 (+9.7% YoY) | 3,686 (+6.0% YoY) | 42 days (0 days YoY) | 52.8% (-0.9 ppt YoY) |
DuPage County’s spring market delivered strong results for sellers. Prices climbed sharply, demand outpaced new supply, and well-positioned homes drew immediate interest. If you’re buying in DuPage right now, be prepared to compete. If you’re selling, the market rewarded accurate pricing with fast sales and offers above asking.
Learn everything you need to know about the DuPage County, IL, housing market as we head into summer, and what buyers and sellers can do to succeed.
U.S. Housing Market Snapshot
| Median Sale Price | Pending Sales | Active Listings | Days on Market | Buyer-Seller Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $398,771 (+2.0% YoY) | 349,901 (+4.4% YoY) | 1,483,839 (+0.7% YoY) | 49 days (+3 days YoY) | Sellers outnumber buyers by 47% |
The national housing market continued to loosen modestly in May. Prices ticked up at a slower rate than last year, inventory held roughly flat, and homes sat on the market slightly longer. DuPage County’s trajectory was different: prices accelerated, pending sales surged, and buyer urgency remained elevated.
“Many cities are undergoing a yearslong reset from the pandemic, with price growth easing and inventory climbing—helping affordability improve as wages rise,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economics research. “Pending home sales have increased over the last three months, which is an early sign that buyers and sellers are beginning to re-enter the market. But economic volatility tied to the Iran War is keeping everyone on edge.”
DuPage County Prices Surged, Outpacing the Nation by a Wide Margin
The median sale price in DuPage County reached $456,880 in May, up 7.5% from a year ago. That appreciation rate was nearly four times the national pace of 2%. DuPage County has seen prices climb roughly 75% since early 2019, and the current surge places it among the fastest-appreciating suburban markets in the Chicago metro. The average sale-to-list ratio hit 1.014, meaning buyers paid above asking on average.
Price cuts remained uncommon. Only 9.3% of active DuPage listings carried a reduction, compared to about 20% nationally. When sellers did overshoot, the market corrected them quickly. Nationally, 2% of homes sold above list; in DuPage, that figure was 53%.
Buyer Demand Surged — Pending Sales Rose Nearly 10%
Pending sales in DuPage County surged 9.7% year over year to 1,312 in May, representing buyer activity recovering to near pre-pandemic spring levels. Nationally, pending sales rose a more modest 4.5% to 350,173. DuPage’s gain more than doubled the national pace, reflecting concentrated demand in a market where well-priced listings attracted immediate offers.
The typical home spent 42 days on market, flat year over year and seven days faster than the 49-day national figure. Over 62% of DuPage listings went under contract within two weeks (versus 32% nationally), underscoring how quickly buyers moved. Closed sales dipped slightly (−2.1%), but the combination of rising pendings and rapid absorption points to strong demand constrained by limited inventory rather than any cooling in buyer appetite.
Inventory Grew, but Couldn’t Keep Pace with Buyer Demand
Active listings rose 6% year over year to 3,686, while nationally, inventory was essentially flat (+0.7%). New listings climbed 5.1% to 1,414. More sellers entered the market, but buyers absorbed the supply before it could meaningfully shift the balance of power.
DuPage County ended May with under 3 months of supply, compared to nearly 4 nationally. Anything below three months strongly favors sellers, and DuPage has hovered in that territory for years. The age of inventory ticked up one day to 31, suggesting homes that didn’t sell immediately still moved within a month.
Luxury Homes Appreciated Fastest, While Starter Prices Also Climbed
| Price Tier | Median Price (YoY) | Sold (YoY) | DOM (YoY) | % Above List (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury (top 5%) | $1,565,539 (+10.0%) | 194 (+7.2%) | 45 days (-11 days) | 45.4% (+11.1 ppt) |
| High (65th–95th%) | $593,273 (+4.0%) | 1,126 (+5.0%) | 41 days (-2 days) | 55.0% (-0.5 ppt) |
| Non-luxury (35th–65th%) | $380,782 (+6.1%) | 831 (-2.5%) | 44 days (+3 days) | 50.7% (-4.7 ppt) |
| Starter (5th–35th%) | $240,429 (+9.6%) | 536 (-3.4%) | 45 days (+5 days) | 37.3% (-5.6 ppt) |
| Bottom (bottom 5%) | $127,429 (+1.8%) | 14 (0.0%) | 38 days (-3 days) | 28.6% (-7.1 ppt) |
Redfin analysis of MLS data • Rolling three-month period (March–May 2026)
Luxury homes ($1.57M median) appreciated 10% year over year in DuPage County, the fastest of any tier. Nearly half of luxury sales closed above asking (45.4%, up 11 percentage points), and the typical luxury listing sold in 45 days, 11 fewer than a year ago. The high tier ($593K) also performed well, with 55% selling above list and the most volume of any bracket.
Starter homes ($240K) saw prices rise nearly 10%, but fewer buyers competed: just 37% sold above asking, down almost 6 points from last year. The bottom tier had only 14 sales in the rolling period, too few for reliable conclusions. Nationally, luxury homes ($1.39M) appreciated about 4%, making DuPage’s 10% luxury growth notably faster.
How Buyers and Sellers Can Navigate the DuPage County, IL Housing Market
If you’re buying in DuPage County, the data is clear: this market rewards speed and preparation. Over half of homes sold above asking, and nearly two-thirds went under contract within two weeks. Get pre-approved, set a realistic budget that accounts for bidding above list, and be ready to write an offer the day you find the right home. Waiting for a correction is a gamble the numbers don’t support.
If you’re selling, you have significant leverage, but don’t mistake a hot market for a license to overprice. Only 9% of DuPage listings had a price cut, and homes priced accurately sold fast and often above asking. List at or slightly below market value to generate competition. Overpricing in a low-inventory market means losing the buyers who are ready to move now.
DuPage County, IL Market Data by City
Rolling three-month period (March–May 2026). Cities with 50+ sales shown. Click any column header to sort.
| City | Median Sale Price (YoY) | Sold | New List. | Active | DOM | % Above | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $594,644 (-0.1% YoY) | 420 | 686 | 942 | 43 | 38.9% | 3.5 |
| Downers Grove | $520,688 (+13.1% YoY) | 182 | 224 | 351 | 45 | 46.2% | 2.7 |
| Lombard | $381,896 (-2.1% YoY) | 170 | 216 | 319 | 44 | 45.3% | 2.6 |
| Wheaton | $490,956 (+8.5% YoY) | 166 | 223 | 298 | 34 | 64.3% | 2.5 |
| Elmhurst | $752,300 (+23.7% YoY) | 156 | 202 | 309 | 44 | 43.5% | 2.6 |
| Bartlett | $417,250 (+2.8% YoY) | 141 | 192 | 279 | 49 | 49.4% | 2.9 |
| Woodridge | $449,731 (+5.8% YoY) | 122 | 152 | 219 | 47 | 45.5% | 2.5 |
| Glen Ellyn | $572,158 (+16.8% YoY) | 117 | 122 | 186 | 42 | 60.7% | 1.8 |
| Hanover Park | $339,797 (+7.9% YoY) | 97 | 118 | 181 | 39 | 65.4% | 2.6 |
| Glendale Heights | $341,795 (+17.1% YoY) | 94 | 100 | 148 | 50 | 51.2% | 1.8 |
| Carol Stream | $378,523 (+4.4% YoY) | 92 | 142 | 192 | 42 | 65.7% | 2.8 |
| Darien | $449,731 (+6.4% YoY) | 73 | 101 | 138 | 43 | 50.8% | 2.3 |
| Addison | $379,773 (+4.7% YoY) | 72 | 104 | 157 | 45 | 48.7% | 3.3 |
| Bloomingdale | $382,271 (-4.4% YoY) | 68 | 102 | 141 | 43 | 51.6% | 3.0 |
| Westmont | $409,755 (+7.8% YoY) | 65 | 74 | 108 | 36 | 55.7% | 2.0 |
| Lisle | $449,731 (+2.8% YoY) | 60 | 95 | 133 | 35 | 52.7% | 3.4 |
| Villa Park | $409,755 (+9.3% YoY) | 54 | 68 | 95 | 48 | 51.1% | 2.2 |
| Hinsdale | $1,608,038 (+44.9% YoY) | 53 | 94 | 146 | 48 | 32.8% | 4.2 |
This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economic research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. County-level data is not seasonally adjusted. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.
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