Cook County, IL Housing Market Update: July 2026

Key Takeaways Cook County home prices surged nearly 9% year over year in July—triple the national rate of 3%—as shrinking inventory fueled intense competition. The median sale price reached $396,338, up 8.6% year over year, while active listings fell 3% and nearly half of homes sold above asking. National pending sales slipped 1%, but Cook County held steady, signaling continued local buyer demand even as the broader market cooled. Cook County, IL Housing Market Snapshot Median Sale Price Pending Sales Active Listings Days on Market Sold Above List $396,338 (+8.6% YoY) 5,723 (+0.1% YoY) 20,534 (-3.0% YoY) 49 days (-2 days YoY) 48.6% (+4.2 ppt YoY) Cook County’s housing market remained firmly tilted toward sellers in July. Prices accelerated to their strongest year-over-year gain in over two years, while inventory continued to shrink. Pending sales held flat after June’s surge, but the share of homes selling above asking rose sharply, indicating that competition intensified even as headline activity stabilized. Buyers faced fewer options and more bidding pressure than a year ago. Learn everything you need to know about the Cook County, IL housing market as we head into late summer, ...